How to Flush a Tankless Water Heater
A tankless water heater offers homeowners efficiency and an endless hot water supply without a storage tank. However, regular flushing is critical to preventing mineral buildup and extending the lifespan of your unit.
In Kentucky, especially, hard water makes flushing extremely important. Kentucky’s hard water is known to cause mineral buildup over time which can degrade a tankless water heater’s efficiency.
Flushing your tankless water heater before winter is critical to ensure consistent hot water delivery throughout the colder months. Read on to learn how to flush a tankless water heater in this step-by-step guide.
Why Flushing Your Tankless Water Heater Matters
We can’t overstate the importance of flushing your tankless water heater in Kentucky. Flushing prevents limescale buildup in the heat exchange, reducing the risk of overheating, increased energy costs, and premature system failure.
Flushing your tankless water heater improves your Kentucky home’s energy efficiency and heating speed to ensure your comfort. Additionally, it can help extend the lifespan and prevent costly repairs.
The benefits of flushing a tankless water heater include:
- Consistent hot water delivery
- Improved efficiency
- Extended lifespan
- Maintain warranty compliance
- Prevent damage to the heat exchanger
- Improved water quality
How Often Should You Flush a Tankless Water Heater?
Flushing your tankless water heater removes mineral and sediment buildup, but it’s important to know how often to complete this process. In most homes, flushing your tankless water heater once per year is sufficient.
In places with hard water, like Kentucky, it’s recommended to flush your tankless water heater every 6 months. The increased frequency is because hard water contains higher levels of minerals, like calcium and magnesium, which can clog a tankless water heater’s components.
Dauenhauer Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric offers tankless water heater flushing services to ensure optimal performance. Call us today to create a routine maintenance schedule.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Flushing a tankless water heater requires a handful of tools. To flush a tankless water heater, you will need:
- Submersible pump
- 2 hoses (inlet and outlet)
- 5-gallon bucket
- Vinegar or descaling solution
- Screwdriver and wrench
- Safety gloves and eye protection
Step-by-Step: How to Flush a Tankless Water Heater
Follow these six steps to flush your tankless water heater safely and effectively.
1. Turn Off Power and Water Supply
The first step in learning how to flush a tankless water heater is to cut off the power and water supply to the water heater. It’s crucial to take the safety precaution of unplugging electric models or shutting off the gas.
2. Close Cold and Hot Water Valves
Once you’ve shut off the power and water supply. Close the cold and hot water valves by turning the handles a quarter-turn until they’re perpendicular to the pipes. This step prevents water from entering the system during the flushing process.
3. Connect Hoses to Service Ports
Next, you’ll connect the inlet and outlet lines for flushing. Connect one hose to the cold water outlet of the pump and the other end to the cold water service valve on the unit. Then, connect a second hose to the hot water service valve and place the free end of the second hose and the pump into the bucket.
4. Set Up the Pump and Bucket
Once you have the loop created, you can circulate vinegar or a descaling solution for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Pour the solution into the bucket and plug in the pump to circulate it through the heat exchanger.
5. Flush with Fresh Water
Next, after the solution has circulated for about 45 minutes, rinse out the residue and minerals with fresh water. To do this, open the cold water supply valve and allow the water to flow for a few minutes, until the water runs clear.
6. Reconnect Valves and Restore Power
Lastly, shut off the cold water, disconnect the hoses, reconnect the valves, and restore power to your tankless water heater.
Safety and Maintenance Tips
When flushing your tankless water heater, you should consider a few safety and maintenance tips for the best results.
- Always follow manufacturer recommendations: Following manufacturer recommendations ensures that you maintain the product warranty.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals: Some descaling solutions are made with harsh chemicals that may damage components. It’s recommended to read and understand the label of the solution you choose or just use vinegar.
- Schedule professional maintenance: If you notice scale buildup, noise, or water flow reduction, call a professional plumber to inspect your water heater. A professional will be able to pinpoint any issue and find a solution to provide consistent hot water.
When to Call a Professional
Wondering about the signs of when it’s time to contact a professional? Here are some key signs to look out for:
- Persistent scale despite regular flushing: If you flush your tankless water heater twice a year but are still having scale issues, call a professional to assess your system. Scale buildup can significantly reduce the efficiency of your system, so managing it is critical to operation.
- System error codes or reduced heating performance: If your tankless water heater isn’t performing the way it should be or is giving you system error codes, you should call an expert. These issues may indicate something more than flushing is required.
- Leaks, corrosion, or improper flow readings: Call a plumbing service if you notice your tankless water heater is leaking, corroding, or providing improper flow readings. These are signs of other water heater issues that need to be addressed promptly.
Dauenhauer’s licensed plumbers are trained in tankless system descaling and inspection. We’re the experts in tankless water heater maintenance and repairs. You can trust that our plumbers will get your system back in working order in no time.
Why Kentucky Homeowners Trust Dauenhauer
Dauenhauer boasts certified plumbers serving Louisville, Lexington, Elizabethtown, and Shelbyville. Our customers trust us with their tankless water heater installation, repair, and maintenance because of our proven expertise.
We offer honest, upfront pricing, 24/7 emergency service, and a local reputation for quality. All our plumbers are dedicated to their trade and provide top-quality service, every time.
Call Dauenhauer Today
To recap, regular flushing keeps tankless water heaters efficient and reliable. You should flush your tankless water heater about every six months in Kentucky due to the presence of hard water.
If your tankless water heater hasn’t been flushed this year, schedule a professional service with Dauenhauer today. We proudly serve homeowners in Louisville, Lexington, Elizabethtown, and Shelbyville.
