Berkeys / Berkeys Blog

December 29, 2016

Importance of Tankless Water Heater Maintenance for Dallas Homeowners

Tankless water heaters are high-tech devices that deliver an endless supply of hot water. By heating water only when it’s needed, it can save significant energy compared to conventional tank-style water heaters. Because of their complexity, tankless water heaters require regular maintenance to ensure proper operation and long term reliability. 

This video shows how to maintain your tankless water heater.

The Importance of Tankless Water Heater Maintenance

Removing Limescale

Over time, tankless water heaters will accumulate minerals on the inside of the tank’s heating chamber. To remove the mineral build up the unit should be flushed regularly, usually once a year, to remove these accumulated mineral deposits. The steps involved will vary by manufacturer, but the procedure usually involves attaching a hose and flushing the tank with vinegar.

Cleaning the Screen Filter

The second tankless water heater maintenance task involves cleaning the in-line screen filter to remove any accumulated debris. Turn off the incoming water supply. The filter is located on an inlet fixture on the cabinet. Unscrew the plug to remove the filter. Rinse the filter off and reinstall it on the unit.

Why Flushing is Important

One of the most important elements is the heat exchanger, which has narrow water passages. Flushing tankless water heaters whose heat exchangers are blocked by the lime scale is very important and must be done before something happens.

If you don’t flush the water heater, the heat exchanger can be damaged as not enough water will pass through and cool it down. Any damage which is related to lime scale build-up is not covered by the warranty.

How to Flush Your Tankless Water Heater

As said, flushing tankless water heaters is not complicated, and once done properly you have to reset the fault code by resetting the power. Here are the step-by-step instructions (I will consider that isolation or service valves are installed):

• Turn the power OFF (electricity and gas) to your tankless heater.
• Close the shutoff valves on hot and cold water lines.
• Use the service (isolation) valve and connect the Flow-aide system to the cold water line (garden hose is OK). The circulation pump within the flow-aide system is used to force the flushing solution through the heater.
• Now connect the heater with the hose, by using another service valve and terminate it to the appropriate drain bucket.
• The Drain hose and pump hose should end in the same bucket as the flow-aide system.
• Open both service valves.
• Run the circulation pump and let the flushing solution go through the unit for one hour approximately.
• Turn the pump OFF.
• Rinse the cleaning solution from the water heater by opening the shutoff valve on the cold water line (close the service valve between the pump and the heater) so it runs through the heater and into the bucket (approximately 5 mins.) After that, open the shutoff valve on the unit and close the service valve between the heater and the bucket.
• Disconnect all hoses.
• Our Recommendation is also to clean the in-line filter.
• Resume the power and run the water heater.

Tankless Water Heater Maintenance Service

Before performing any maintenance on your water heater, always check the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure your safety. If you have questions about maintaining your tankless water heater.