A tankless system can also fail in the ways that a standard gas-powered water heater or furnace can fail. The gas jets can become dirty and fail to ignite fully—or ignite at all. If the electronic ignition system breaks, the water heater won't come on and you'll end up with no hot water at all.
Turn on the hot water for one sink and see if it comes out cloudy, rusty, or smells bad. If some, there is trouble in your tankless heater. The system creates strange noises. Last but not least, make sure you are listening to your water heater every once in a while.
Common signs that it's time to replace your water heater include its age (usually 10-15 years), rusty or discolored water, strange noises, leaks or pooling water around the tank, and insufficient hot water supply.
One of the most common questions asked by consumers about tankless water heaters is how long they will last. A tankless water heater can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance and operation. In comparison, a standard tank water heater normally has a working life of 10 years or less.
For an electric tankless water heater, the average cost is around $8,850. Replacing a gas tankless water heater costs approximately $4,700, while replacing an electric tankless water heater costs about $4,200. Factors such as fuel type, brand, labor, and home modifications can influence the overall installation cost.
You need to flush a tankless water heater once a year to get rid of mineral deposits and sediment that block the water flow. If you don't, this problem can cause your tankless hot water heater to stop working. You also might void the warranty by not doing it.
First, check to ensure your tankless heater receives power. Check that the circuit breaker hasn't tripped if it's an electric unit. If it's a gas unit, ensure the gas supply valve is open and the pilot light is lit. Another common reason for no hot water is a problem with the water supply.
If a heating element begins to ground out, it will stay on all the time and overheat drastically. Not surprisingly, the result will be painfully hot water – and that's just for starters. With time, the heater element will burn itself out completely. Then you'll have no hot water at all until the element is replaced.
The first thing you should check is whether your tankless water heater is receiving power. Check the circuit breaker to ensure it hasn't tripped. If it has, reset it and see if the heater starts working again. If it continues to trip, there might be an underlying electrical issue that requires professional attention.
Tankless water heaters also have a long lifespan of about 20 years; double the lifecycle of a conventional storage tank water heater. For all their advantages, tankless water heaters require specific maintenance routines to ensure they perform efficiently for the long haul.
Tankless water heater replacement is a complex process that involves the skills of a highly trained technician. Unless you are experienced and comfortable enough to solder pipe, make gas connections and follow local codes, hire a licensed professional.
These water heaters are designed to work with low water pressure. So, a tankless water heater trying to operate with high water pressure can wear out and leak over time.
One of the most common problems with tankless water heaters is experiencing insufficient hot water. There could be various reasons behind this issue. If the heater is undersized for your household's hot water demand, it may struggle to keep up, resulting in lukewarm water or abrupt temperature fluctuations.
Tankless water heaters need to be descaled regularly to prevent mineral buildup, and the burners need to be cleaned out.. If your water heater hasn't been properly maintained, it's likely that it will need to be replaced. However, if you've been keeping up with the maintenance, a repair may be all that's needed.
Get a portable tankless water heater
One emergency solution for escaping a cold shower is a portable tankless water heater, whether electric or gas-powered. Electric tankless water heaters are a lot easier to deal with.
You notice a difference in heating capacity
Over the years, that may slowly decrease until you might have a hard time taking a 10-minute shower. If your hot water runs out quickly, then you have a heating capacity problem. You might also find that it takes your water heater longer and longer to heat water up.
The most common expenses associated with tankless water heater maintenance are labor costs, replacement parts, and annual or semi-annual maintenance checks. Labor costs can range from $50 to $150 per hour, while replacement parts can cost between $20 to $500, depending on the part's complexity and brand.
It's important to note that standard homeowners insurance policies typically only cover damage to the structure of your home and personal property. They do not include replacement cost coverage for the heater itself.
Absolutely! In fact, tankless water heaters are becoming the standard for new home construction because of the energy efficiency.