How to Fix Common Tankless Water Heater Problems

March 15 2016

Water Heater

There is a prevailing notion that tankless water heaters bring more advantages than standard ones. This is based mostly on how fast water is heated with tankless water heaters and how much energy is saved because of the elimination of the large tank to store hot water. Unfortunately, this does not mean that tankless water heaters do not come with their own sets of problems. Let us take a look at some of the more common issues hounding this type of water heating system.

Finding the Problem

Common Issues

There is no question that newer tankless water heater models are more energy efficient and can come with a lot of useful features, thanks mostly to complex electronics and advanced technology. These advantages can translate though to more difficult troubleshooting and repair compared to older and mechanical water heating units.

Although not built to last forever, most quality tankless water heaters can last up to 20 years depending on the type of maintenance and its proper usage. If you are thinking of buying tankless water heaters, my friend from plumbinglosangeles.us mentions the most common issues you can face are hard water, corrosion, overload, and improper ventilation and how to fix them. So here are some issue and tips to help you with your tankless water heater

Hard Water

The issue with hard water is that it causes mineral buildup in the tankless water heater system. This means that some models are susceptible to scaly calcium build up that will affect its overall performance. With the mineral buildup problem caused by the hard water issue, the tankless water heater can become less efficient and may face premature breakdown or damage.

This means that despite being designed for an operational life of 20 years, this can be drastically shorten and may not even allow you to recoup your investment. Another thing to consider is that this type of breakdown may not be covered by the manufacturer warranty on the unit.

How do you protect the tankless water heater from the hard water issue? The best way is to have a water softener installed. You can also use a scale filter or maintain the unit properly by flushing it with a vinegar solution. Make sure that you follow the directions in the manual when doing this to prevent damaging the unit.

Corrosion Attack

Corrosion

With the storage tank type water heaters, corrosion usually occurs within the tank. Being tankless does not necessarily mean that the unit is spared from the issue of corrosion; but it is less subject to it. With tankless water heaters, corrosion can result from the condensation that eventually drips on the gas burner.

The corrosion that builds up will block the gas supply creating a restriction that can affect the functionality of the entire system. Despite being a minimal problem, it cannot be entirely dismissed because of its possibility of damaging the unit. Proper cleaning and maintenance is key to addressing this issue.

Somatime

Overflowing Water

Overload

The demand of every household will differ based on the actual requirements of the users. When the demand is greater than what the tankless water heater can provide, you may suffer from poor quality heated water or the unit may breakdown because it is being overworked by the overload.

To prevent this from happening, you must make sure that you buy a unit that is capable of supplying the actual needs of your household. If you do not have the money to do an upgrade at the moment, the immediate solution is to minimize the simultaneous use of hot water. Make sure that there is ample time in between usage to allow the unit to generate proper amounts of heated water at the right temperature.

Window

Improper Ventilation

Understandably, water heaters will generate its fair amounts of heat. The exhaust should be able to escape not only quickly, but also efficiently. This means being able to vent it away from the tankless water heater. If the ventilation becomes restricted or is not properly placed, the unit may suffer from overheating.

Make sure that the venting tubes have appropriate lengths and made from the right materials to ensure that proper ventilation is achieved.

With all of these issues, one basic thing that must never be overlooked is that tankless water heaters must be properly installed by experienced and licensed plumbing technicians. Improper installation will not only affect the functionality of the unit, but also decrease its operational life.