Tankless water heaters can be an invaluable addition to your home, but it is crucial that they receive proper care and maintenance so that they remain functional over time.
Tankless water heater maintenance can help save on repair costs and avoid future costly problems, including cleaning the venting system, checking temperature settings and flushing out your unit. Common tasks for routine tankless maintenance are cleaning venting system ducts, checking temperatures settings and flushing it out to flush unit.
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1. Inspect the Venting System
Venting systems on tankless water heaters ensure combustion gases are safely dissipated from their unit, but when these systems become blocked or compromised they can compromise performance of your heater and even pose safety threats. If one becomes blocked or compromised it could compromise performance as well as be potentially unsafe.
Simply switch off and remove the access panel or cover on your gas or electric tankless water heater to inspect its venting system, locate its vent pipe, and make sure there are no blockages within.
Make sure that you regularly cleanse your venting system using soapy water to clear away any build-up of sediments that has accumulated, particularly if your water contains hard minerals that can damage the heat exchanger of a tankless water heater, potentially necessitating its flushing – an expensive endeavor!
2. Check the Water Temperature
Tankless water heaters can be an excellent addition to any home, as they heat water on demand – saving both money and energy in the process. But just like any appliance in your house, a tankless water heater requires regular maintenance in order to function at its optimal performance.
Flushing your water lines every six months with one gallon of white vinegar will remove any sediment build-up that hinders its proper function and ensure optimum functioning of your water heater.
Cleaning the air filter of a tankless water heater is also beneficial; soft brush and soap solution should do the trick. After cleaning it thoroughly, make sure to rinse and dry it off completely before reinstalling it.
3. Inspect the Anode Rod
An anode rod in a tank-style water heater is made from metal that’s considered “sacrificial,” meaning as it corrodes it protects the inner walls from rust and corrosion.
As your anode rod begins to break down, a foul smell will emerge in your home’s hot water supply due to aluminum or magnesium reacting with it.
Homeowners living with hard water should regularly inspect the anode rod. Access may not always be easy; wrench and spray lubricant like WD-40 may be needed to pry it from its position on the tank, and any corrosion could signal that its replacement should occur soon.
4. Clean the Air Filter
Your tankless water heater requires regular filter cleaning in order to keep its heat exchanger operating at maximum efficiency and protect it from mineral buildup damage. Most filters are located near the front of the unit and can easily be taken out by unscrewing or taking off its faceplate – referring to your owner’s manual for instructions if needed. Afterward, using either rags or brushes you can remove debris before rinsing off with clean water afterwards.
Mineral deposits can wreak havoc with your tankless water heater’s heat exchanger over time, leading to lower efficiency and higher energy bills. For best results, flushing is recommended every two years to address these issues – this easy process merely involves connecting a hose directly to the draining valve.