When you invest in tankless water heaters, you can enjoy endless, constant hot water and minimal repairs and replacements. However, like all aspects of home care, tankless water heaters require several vital steps to maintain steady, reliable performance, even as winter approaches. At Santhoff Plumbing in Houston, our priority is always providing our valued clients with the best, most precise service and the highest-quality parts – but regardless of which water heater you choose to invest in, following simple maintenance steps is essential for ensuring optimal longevity. Use this blog as your ultimate guide to basic tankless water heater maintenance in order to keep hot water flowing year-round without any hiccups.
Understanding Your Tankless Water Heater: The On-Demand Difference
The primary difference between a typical residential water heater and a smart, tankless water heater is the storage of the water and how it is heated. Traditional heaters are composed of 40-50-gallon tanks that are constantly refilling and reheating the water. On the other hand, tankless heaters only heat the water as it passes through a highly intelligent, precisely engineered heat exchanger. This not only means you’re only heating the water you need, but it also means that you use less – leading to lower bills and more consistent flow. However, neglecting proactive, preventative maintenance can be the difference between significant savings and costly, full-scale replacements down the line.
The High Cost Of Neglecting Your Water Heater
One thing can make the biggest impact on the health of your tankless water heater: mineral scale. While it might seem like a small, insignificant aspect of general wear-and-tear, the truth is that it can quickly turn into an expensive liability if ignored for long enough. These types of water heaters should last you up to 20 years; however, this is only if you pay close attention to the recommended care and follow a strict preventative maintenance schedule. The four primary negative effects of mineral scale on your tankless water heater include:
- Destroys energy efficiency: Mineral scale acts like an insulator inside the heat exchanger. This may force your unit to consume much more gas or electricity to achieve the required.
- Causes individual component stress: Buildup creates hot spots within the internal system, which can lead to your overall reliability to falter.
- Leads to premature unit failure: The leading primary cause of premature heat exchanger failure is scale buildup. This is the most expensive repair for tankless water heaters, or necessitates a full replacement.
- Void the manufacturer’s warranty: When you fail to keep up with the necessary maintenance, it can invalidate the 10-15-year heat exchanger warranty that most manufacturers offer.
The Annual Ritual: Descaling and Flushing Your Smart Water Heater
The best way to mitigate risks for your tankless water heater is to perform an annual descaling flush. This is so essential because it is the only way to physically and entirely remove mineral buildup from your heat exchanger. In some cases, such as areas with extremely hard water, every six months might be required. Mastering this process —or hiring someone who has, like your team at Santhoff Plumbing —is essential for maximizing your investment and extending its lifespan.
Every time you perform the descaling, it is vital to first turn off the power and gas supply to your unit, as well as close the main cold water inlet valve – this is essential for isolating the tankless water heater from the rest of your water supply. You will also need a 5-gallon bucket and a submersible pump, so make sure you have one nearby.
From here, you can now initiate the descaling and circulation loop by closing the hot water outlet valve and opening the service valves on both hot and cold lines. From here, you can connect the hose from your pump to the cold water valve and the other to the hot water service valve within the bucket.
Submerge your pump into a water heater descaling solution and allow the liquid to circulate through the heat for about an hour. After the full cycle is complete, be sure to circulate clean water to remove any final debris and ensure your water is crystal clear.
Ongoing Maintenance Checklist For Peak Smart Water Heater Performance
While your annual flush is undoubtedly the most integral aspect of your smart heater maintenance checklist, there are a myriad of simple, low-effort steps you can take monthly or quarterly. Although they might not make a large, immediate difference like your annual flush, when it comes to your complex smart system, they can make a huge difference in longevity and durability down the line.
The first monthly maintenance check centers around your tankless water heater’s air intake filter. This is a key component that helps keep dust and debris out of your combustion chamber. Every month, carefully ensure that the exhaust vent is fully cleared of nests, debris, dirt, or other obstructions that could halt the flow of air through the duct.
Biannually, you need to rinse your water strainer filter. This process is extremely simple, but it plays a significant role in the overall quality of your water, which, in turn, can impact your health, as well as the health of your hair and skin. To do this, shut off your water valve, unscrew the filter, and thoroughly rinse it before reinstalling it.
When Things Go Wrong: Typical Water Heater Error Codes
Sometimes, your smart water heater might not need an emergency plumbing fix —just a little knowledge about error codes and what they mean. By learning these basic signals, you can save yourself a serious headache and maybe some money in the long run. The most common error codes for tankless water heaters include:
- Ignition failures: This most often indicates a problem with the gas supply or the igniter component. For this error, a Houston emergency plumber is always needed in case it harms your gas line.
- Overheat or scale: The most common code, this usually means you need to descale your system.
- Venting or exhaust blockages: This indicates an obstruction in the vent pipe. Not only does this need a plumber’s attention, but it must be immediate, as it can pose a serious safety risk.
The Professional Edge: When Your Tankless Water Heater Requires a Plumber
Although descaling and normal filter checks don’t require professional help, to maintain complete tankless performance, working with an expert Houston plumbing company like Santhoff Plumbing is essential. At Santhoff Plumbing, we can perform reliable safety checks and comprehensive maintenance that a DIY simply can’t match the way professional help can.
Annual checks from a plumber are necessary for these aspects of tankless water heater upkeep:
- Checking gas pressure
- Inspecting the heat exchanger
- Testing your safety sensors
- Proofing the exhaust venting
- Checking anode rods
Securing Your Tankless Water Heater Investment With Thorough Maintenance
Three key factors dictate the longevity and durability of your tankless water heater:
- Annual descaling
- Quarterly checks
- Professional inspections
By following our maintenance plan, you can keep your Houston home’s hot water flowing smoothly and consistently at all times without relying on expensive reactive maintenance and full-scale replacements. At Santhoff Plumbing, we not only want to give our clients the best service, but we also strive to provide plumbing systems that last for years to come. Contact us today for a free tankless water heater installation estimate for your Houston home.