Mineral buildup, often caused by hard water, is a common problem for tankless water heaters. Over time, minerals such as calcium and magnesium can accumulate inside the heat exchanger, reducing its efficiency and potentially leading to long-term damage.
Tankless water heaters are energy-efficient, have low maintenance costs, and are reasonably durable. But just like any appliance, they're not completely immune to issues. From time to time, they may present with minor problems, such as having no hot water, or not firing.
Tankless water heaters rely on ignition to heat water on demand. If the ignition fails, you'll be left with cold water. This could be due to a variety of reasons such as a faulty igniter, gas supply issues, or a dirty burner. In such cases, it's best to consult a professional technician to diagnose and fix the problem.
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. How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?
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.
If the circuit breaker in your tankless water heater tends to trip frequently, it may indicate that the circuit is overloaded or the circuit breaker is faulty. Overloading occurs when multiple high-power appliances draw excessive current from the same circuit, causing the circuit breaker to trip as a safety measure.
Before you commit to buying a tankless water heater, the primary drawbacks to know include: Higher upfront costs. Tankless water heaters are, on average, quite a bit more expensive to buy and install than tank water heaters. Access to fuel.
The average cost of maintaining a tankless water heater in the United States ranges between $100 to $500 per year. However, the total cost can vary depending on various factors, including the age of your unit, its condition, and the type of maintenance required.
System Overload
Tankless water heaters are best used at intervals. If the heater is used beyond its capacity for multiple batches of hot water back to back, then it will result in a system overload. It might disrupt the wiring and shut down the heater entirely.
Replacement. In many cases, tankless water heater repair can resolve an equipment problem. However, replacing the unit may be the better solution, depending on the issue and age of the system.
The problem could be closed valves that aren't providing gas or that the ventilation is blocked. Like the “no ignition” error, check that the gas, propane, and water valves are all open. Then ensure that nothing is blocking the vents leading to and from the heater.
Tankless Water Heaters: Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand or instantaneous water heaters, heat water directly without the need for a storage tank. Plumbers recommend tankless water heaters for their energy efficiency, space-saving design, and endless hot water supply.
Overloaded Demand: Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand, but they have limitations on the amount of hot water they can produce simultaneously. If multiple fixtures or appliances are drawing hot water simultaneously, the heater may struggle to keep up with demand, resulting in cold water.
The average cost to flush a tankless water heater can vary. On average, homeowners can expect to spend between $100 and $300 for a professional flush, including any additional maintenance services required. DIY flushing costs can range from $30 to $100, depending on the flushing kit purchased.
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.
To maximize your tankless water heater's performance and service life, it's important to regularly clean or replace the water filter, clean the air filter (for gas units), and descale and flush the system.
A tankless water heater cannot provide hot water faster than its ability to heat the water. While a tank unit can provide hot water for multiple uses at once, a tankless unit might not be able to support simultaneous usage, such as washing dishes, taking a shower and running a washing machine all at once.
Absolutely! In fact, tankless water heaters are becoming the standard for new home construction because of the energy efficiency.
While a tankless water heater will deliver an unlimited stream of hot water, they struggle to deliver a lot of hot water at one time. So while you might be able to take 100 showers in a row if you have the dishwasher, washing machine, and shower going at the same time you might have problems.
Check that the heater is getting electricity, gas and water. Check the filter to make sure that there's no debris in it. Finally, the problem may have to do with low water flow rate. Some tankless water heaters have a minimum flow rate requirement and if that number is not reached, then the heater will not turn on.
Yes all tankless water heaters need a dedicated circuit. Window air conditioning units: These units can draw a lot of power, especially on hot days. A dedicated circuit ensures they can operate without affecting other appliances.
Other common issues include a burnt-out heating element, a worn-out reset button, or a faulty circuit breaker or wiring. By calling a professional plumber, you can identify the root cause of your tripping reset button and prevent the issue from happening again in the future.