For people who are looking for an energy-efficient way to get hot water on demand, tankless hot water heaters can be the perfect choice. They’re compact, and they’re rapidly becoming one of the most popular choices for both residential and business purposes. If you have a tankless water heater, it’s essential to perform proper maintenance on it regularly. If you do, it could last up to twenty years or even longer. 

To keep all the components in your water heater working properly, it’s ideal to have it serviced at least once every year. If you live in an area with hard water or you keep the water set to a high temperature, you should have maintenance done twice a year. Several things are typically done during routine maintenance on a tankless water heater, including the tasks listed below.

Flush the System

Your water heater’s system should be flushed at least once a year. If you don’t do this, you could shorten its life span by quite a few years. Over the course of several months, the interior of your water heater will experience a buildup of minerals. If you have hard water, this could happen even more quickly. Mineral buildup can cause damage to your unit’s heat exchanger, causing a decrease in the water tank’s efficiency that leaves you with higher energy costs.

Flushing your system will remove that mineral buildup. If you want to perform this task yourself, you’ll need to start with a mixture of vinegar and water, a sump pump, and two lengths of hose. First, turn off the power to your water heater. Next, turn off the water to the pump, attach the hoses, and use the sump pump to force the vinegar and water solution into the water heater. After you’ve flushed the water heater with the vinegar water, flush it again with plain water. 

You should be able to find detailed instructions for this process in the user’s manual for your water heater, or you can get a descaling kit that will contain instructions for use. If flushing the system yourself seems a bit too intimidating or you’re concerned you might do it improperly, call a professional who can flush the system and inspect your on-demand water heater to make sure it’s working properly.

Clean the Air Filter

The air filter in your tankless water heater needs to be cleaned on a regular basis so you’ll continue to have proper airflow. To do this, simply remove the filter from the water heater and use a soft brush and a solution of soap and water to clean it. Rinse the filter thoroughly and let it dry completely before you put it back into your unit.

Clean the Water Filter

Cleaning the water filter is another important part of tankless water heater maintenance. The majority of tankless water heaters have screens that trap any sediment that comes in. You’ll need to clean out this filter because accumulated sediment can have a big impact on your water heater’s functionality. 

To clean the water filter, shut off the water supply to the hot water heater and then take the filter out. You can clean the filter with warm soapy water, or you can simply wipe it with a soft, clean cloth. If you don’t know where your water filter is located, check your owner’s manual. 

Check for Potential Issues

When you’re performing regular maintenance on your water heater, take a few minutes to do a quick check of its components, including the pipes, valves, and heating element. In particular, keep an eye out for rust, leaks, or anything that doesn’t look right. If you see something that looks amiss, don’t wait to get it fixed right away. If you let an issue continue without being repaired as soon as possible, it could get worse and end up costing you a lot of money. 

If you need help with maintaining your tankless hot water heater so it continues to work the way it should, call on the experienced pros from Arnett’s Water Systems, the specialists San Diego residents trust for high-quality water system products and exceptional service at a reasonable price. Call one of our friendly team members today at (619) 223-1209 to learn how we can keep your tankless water heater working perfectly for you and your family.