Many indoor and outdoor tankless water heaters come with a built-in freeze protection feature that works when the temperature drops to between -5 and -22 degrees Fahrenheit. Here's how to keep it from happening, however unlikely it is.
This begs the question — can water heaters freeze? While extremely rare, it's actually not impossible for a water heater to freeze. The leading concern is that any standing water inside the tank or tankless unit will freeze and expand, permanently damaging the appliance at the same time.
Your Pipes Could Freeze and Burst
If you turn off your water heater, your interior temperature will drop, leaving the water in your pipes susceptible to freezing. When the water in your pipes freezes, it expands and becomes ice.
Choosing a sheltered exterior location can also help prevent freezing issues. If possible, install your outdoor tankless water heater where it will be sheltered from wind, or build an enclosure that blocks the wind. Install a pipe cover to conceal and protect the gas, water and power connections.
As water travels through the pipes in your home, the temperature surrounding the pipes is generally cold in winter. Unless your pipes are insulated, the water coming into and exiting the water heater will be affected by the external cold temperatures, causing the heater to work harder.
Keep your heat on
This is the easiest way to prevent frozen pipes. Even when you are away from your home, keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F (13°C). And be sure to regularly run hot water through the pipes to warm them up, if possible.
With colder water coming into the home and many water heaters located in parts of the house that tend to be exposed to colder temperatures (be it a garage or an unfinished basement), adding insulation to the water heater can help protect the appliance and help it perform better.
Location Matters. The location of the water heater plays a crucial role in whether it will withstand low temperatures. If installed in an unheated space such as a garage, attic, crawlspace, or poorly insulated basement, the likelihood of the water heater freezing is higher.
No water or a slow trickle when a faucet is used. Whistling and banging coming from pipes, or strange bubbling sounds when you flush a toilet. Dampness, puddles, or rings on drywall or ceilings—signs of an urgent issue.
Often, water heater issues are as simple as a malfunctioning part. Drops in temperature can cause your unit to work harder and wear down certain parts. For gas units, keep an eye on the pilot, thermocouple and the pilot control valve. For electric tanks, you may want to check the thermostat and heating elements.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Moving water keeps pipes from freezing. Find shut off valves for emergencies. Insulate pipes in unheated areas. Open cupboards and vanities to warm pipes.
Frozen pipes can cause serious water damage to your home. The warm water your heater produces will continue circulating your system and prevent the leaks, cracks, and burst pipes that freezing can cause. Leave your water heater on to avoid frozen pipes and accompanying damage to your property.
Cold weather can freeze your pipes, causing overexpansion. This leads to burst pipes and forces your water heater to work harder than usual. In some instances, it results in smaller leaks that can go unchecked and cause major damage long term.
'Although it might not seem like a big deal, leaving your attic door or hatch open during freezing weather can help to prevent a whole host of home maintenance issues, such as preventing ice dams on roofs, frozen pipes, and mold growth,' begins Jay Sanders, contractor and owner of Castle Dream Construction.
While relatively rare, it's definitely not impossible for a water heater to freeze. The main concern is that any standing water inside the tank or tankless unit will freeze and expand, permanently damaging the appliance at the same time.
Water heater insulation could reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45% and save you about 7%–16% in water heating costs—and should pay for itself in about a year. You can find pre-cut jackets or blankets available from around $20. Most experts agree that heat loss in a gas water heater goes up the flue.
If You Have a Gas Water Heater…
Use immense caution and consider calling a contractor for assistance. It's very important you don't smother the flame or have any part of the blanket underneath the heater. Also, make sure you never cover the top of the gas water heater because the exhaust needs a place to exit.
Any water heater can freeze if water is left inside it
So when the power goes out in freezing temperatures, the water eventually can freeze, expand and burst the storage tank.
Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
Set faucets to a small, steady drip rather than a stream to conserve water while preventing freezing. Drip the faucet farthest from your home's main water valve. “You don't have to drip them all—one or two is fine,” Sperlich told USA TODAY.
Performing annual maintenance on a tank-style water heater by flushing it will extend its lifespan. This can help you keep your water heater running in tip-top shape for years to come — and prevent an expensive disaster that involves a late-night or weekend call to a local plumber.
A water heater needs to be properly drained as part of its regular maintenance. Over time, sediment builds up in the bottom of a water heater, which can lead to clogs, says The Family Handyman.
It is recommended that you flush your water heater at least once per year. Doing so will help to prevent the potential problems that sediment can bring over time. Typically, it takes one to two hours to flush a water heater. The size of your tank will impact the amount of time it takes to drain.