Tankless water heaters save space and energy but need regular care to work well. Flushing your tankless water heater once a year helps it run better and last longer, and we recommend using a simple flush kit with vinegar to clean out mineral buildup and keep your hot water flowing smoothly.
This easy maintenance task takes about an hour and can make a big difference by removing scale and sediment. This helps your tankless system heat water more efficiently and this small investment of time pays off with more reliable hot water and lower energy bills.
We'll walk you through the steps to flush your tankless water heater safely and effectively. With some basic tools and our guide, you can tackle this important job yourself and keep your hot water system in top shape.
Keeping up with tankless water heater maintenance is key for a long-lasting, efficient system. Regular upkeep prevents issues and saves money over time.
Clean out mineral buildup often, especially in areas with hard water as this helps the heater work better and use less energy. Flushing the system once a year prevents limescale from clogging pipes and keeps water flowing well.
Clean units heat water faster and more evenly and good care makes tankless heaters last longer. They can work well for 20 years or more with the right upkeep which means fewer repairs and lower costs over time.
Not taking care of a tankless water heater can lead to problems such as scale buildup. This makes the heater work harder and use more energy, leading to higher utility bills.
Neglect can also cause:
Bad water quality makes these issues worse and areas with hard water need more frequent cleaning. In worst cases, the heater might break down completely, and fixing or replacing it can be very costly.
To flush a tankless water heater, we'll need some basic items.
Here's what to gather:
You can find most of these at a local hardware store, and a flush kit often comes with a pump and hoses. If not, you'll need to buy them separately.
Safety comes first when working with water heaters so let's cover the key steps:
You must close the isolation valves to stop water flow as this prevents any mishaps during the flush. It's also smart to clean the air intake filter while you're at it. Remember, mixing water and electricity is dangerous so always make sure the power is off before you start.
Flushing a tankless water heater is a crucial maintenance task that keeps it running smoothly. We'll walk you through the process step-by-step and explain how to finish up.
After flushing, it's time to put everything back together:
After flushing a tankless water heater, it's important to check the results and plan for future maintenance.
You need to check if the flushing worked so turn the water heater back on and run hot water for a few minutes. The flow should be strong and steady. Listen for odd noises that could mean there's still scale inside. If the water looks cloudy or has bits, you might need to flush it again.
Check the temperature too. It should reach the set level quickly and if it takes longer than usual, there might still be some buildup inside. In that case, you may need to flush once more or call a professional service.
Regular flushing keeps tankless water heaters working at maximum performance and you should set reminders to do this annually. Most makers say to do it once a year but if you have hard water, you might need to flush every six months.
It's a good idea to keep a log of when you flush the system and what you notice each time, helping you spot any changes. Don't forget other care tasks too, such as cleaning the inlet filter and checking for leaks now and then.
If you’re not confident flushing your tankless heater yourself, get in touch and we’ll send over a professional to do this for you.
