One of the most effective and economical ways to heat the water in your house is a tankless water heater.
A tankless system consumes less energy and occupies less space than a conventional tank water heater system to provide hot water as needed.
Tankless water heaters are an investment in your house that, with good maintenance, may last up to 20 years.
Tankless water heaters need maintenance just as every other device in your house does to stay in good working order.
Here are 8 methods to maintaining the performance of your tankless water heater.
Deactivate The Energy Source
You must always switch off your tankless water heater’s power supply before doing any kind of examination or maintenance on it.
Although some utilize kerosene or even propane, gas or electricity account for the majority of tankless water heater fuel types.
The maintenance procedure is safe if the main electrical or gas outlet is turned off at the circuit breaker.
Avoid Opening Any Water Valves.
Boiler valve and bronze elbow.
French, German, and Italian words for “sensing.” French, German, and Italian words for “warm water” and “main outlet.” Up close.
To stop water from entering the tankless water heater, you must shut the water valves.
Additionally, this stops any warm water from escaping while cleaning is being done.
Typically, there are three color-coded water valves that need to be closed.
The water between the main water supply and your house is controlled by a blue valve, hot water is controlled by a red valve, and both are controlled by a third valve.
Before starting the maintenance procedure, close each of these valves individually.
Disengage The Port Valve Caps For The Purge
Purge valves on your tankless water heater aid in reducing pressure buildup.
Every one has a little handle that resembles the letter “T.” To release any pressure that has built up in the purge valves, carefully remove the purge port valve covers.
Additionally, this stops hot water from gushing out and perhaps burning you.
Fix A Hosing Line To Every Valve.
If hosing lines weren’t included with your tankless water heater, you can buy some at a home improvement shop.
The water heater may be connected to a flushing bucket via the hosing line.
The hoses may need to be connected to a sump pump.
This enables water to be released from the tankless water heater device via the hot and cold water valves.
Consult the handbook that comes with your individual tankless water heater model for more detailed instructions.
Lock The Port Valets.
By turning the port valves until they are parallel to the water valves, you may open them.
White Vinegar Or A Descaling Solution Can Be Added To The Unit
To clean your tankless water heater, use a standard descaling solution or around 2.5 gallons of pure white vinegar.
Because this all-natural alternative is often thought to be safer, vinegar is preferred by many households.
The Tankless Water Heater Must Be Flushed And Drained
Once everything is set up, you may flush and drain your water heater by following the directions in your handbook.
Your water heater needs to flush and drain to the bucket for around 45 minutes to be thoroughly cleaned.
Close the port valves when the cleaning is finished, and then unplug the hose from the water valves.
Then, using the port caps on the purge valves, gently reseal them.
Return The Tankless Water Heater To Service.
Following the directions in your handbook, restart your water heater after the cleaning procedure is finished.
The water valves must be turned back on in order to do this.
This will allow air to flow through the water pipes.
To remove air from the pipe and restore normal hot water flow, you may switch on your faucets.
It will take two to three minutes to complete this.
Cleaning a tankless water heater makes sure it continues to operate with the highest level of energy efficiency for better outcomes.
Although you can maintain a tankless water heater yourself, not everyone has the time or mechanical know-how to do so.
An expert plumber can perform effective maintenance that is specifically matched to your heater type, allowing you to enjoy on-demand hot water without worrying about upkeep.