3 Common Problems With Tankless Water Heaters And How They Can Be Addressed
A tankless water heater installation is an excellent way to boost the energy efficiency of your home. Unlike traditional water heaters, which heat water and store it in a tank before it's needed, tankless versions only heat water on demand. This helps to save energy and keep your domestic energy expenses at a minimum.
Installing a tankless water heater can also save you from needing a water heater replacement after every 10 years since tankless models can last up to twice as long as standard water heaters, with proper maintenance.
Although they use less energy and last longer than traditional water heaters, tankless systems can have problems that traditional systems don't. The good news is that most of these problems can be repaired so your water heater can continue working properly.
Outlined below are some common tankless water heater problems that you may experience and how they can be fixed.
Overloaded System
Tankless systems provide a steady supply of hot water, but that doesn't mean the supply is unlimited. If you run too many faucets and water-using appliances at the same time, your water heater may stop working because it can't keep up with the demand. When this happens, you should turn off the applications and let the unit recover. You can then restart the system and run only one or two faucets concurrently.
If your household demand for hot water has increased, you may need to install an additional unit to meet the extra demand.
Issues With the Fuel Source
Like traditional water heaters, tankless units need a little time to heat water. This means you may need to leave your tap running for a few seconds before the water can become hot.
If you, however, notice that the water isn't getting hot no matter how long you wait, it's likely that there's a problem with your unit's fuel source. If there's no fuel supply to the unit, it won't heat your water.
The kind of repairs you'll need will depend on the type of fuel your system uses to heat water. If you have a gas water heater, for example, it's likely you have a faulty gas valve or leaks in the appliance's supply line.
Mineral Buildup Within Your Hot Water System
Ideally, you should flush your tankless water heater on occasion to clear mineral buildup that may form within the system over time. Failure to perform this maintenance task may result in water quality issues and a reduced water flow rate.
If the hot water coming out of your taps looks discolored, smells bad, or has low pressure, you should get your hot water system flushed immediately.
Contact a tankless water heater repair service near you if you suspect or have seen the signs of trouble with your tankless water heater.