How Often Do Tankless Water Heaters Need Maintenance?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Keeping up with maintenance, including tankless water cleaning, should take place

at least once a year

. You may need to take care of other tasks, such as wiping down the exterior of the unit, more often, especially if the area where you install the water heater receives a lot of dust.

How often do tankless water heaters need to be descaled?

During a regular maintenance visit, a professional will descale, also called delime, your tankless water heater to make sure there's no buildup around the heating elements. A professional should descale your water heater

at least once a year

.

How much does it cost to descale a tankless water heater?

It costs

around $150

to flush a tankless water heater. You especially need it at least annually if you have well water with a lot of iron. That causes more sediment buildup. The process takes about a half-hour.

What happens if you don't flush your tankless water heater?

What happens if I don't flush out my tankless water heater?

Mineral deposits may build up

. This could cause a clog within the unit and may prevent normal heating activity. Your hot water could also fluctuate and overheat the system, impacting its efficiency.

What is the downside of a tankless water heater?

The main disadvantage of tankless water heaters is their

upfront cost (unit and installation) is significantly higher than tank-style heaters

. Including installation, tankless water heaters cost 3 times more than tank-style water heaters on average.

How long do tankless hot water heaters last?

One of the most common questions asked by consumers about tankless water heaters is how long they will last. A tankless water heater can last anywhere from

15 to 20 years

with proper maintenance and operation. In comparison, a standard tank water heater normally has a working life of 10 years or less.

How do I service my navien?

How do you maintain a tankless gas water heater?

Why does my tankless water heater go cold?


A broken flow sensor

can cause your tankless water heater to run hot and cold. The flow sensor measures the water entering your system and sends that information to your unit's control board. If there's a burst of cold coming into the system, then the controller adjusts the flame.

How much vinegar do you need to descale a tankless water heater?

At $50 to $150 for a pump and the need for annual maintenance for tankless water heaters, it's wise to buy rather than rent. It will take

3 gallons

of food-grade white vinegar to get this job done.

How do you de scale a tankless water heater?

Do tankless water heaters have endless hot water?


Tankless water heaters are able to provide endless hot water

because they heat your water on-demand instead of from a tank (which can eventually run out of hot water). After the demand for hot water has been fulfilled, the water heater turns off and the heat exchanger cools back down.

Can I replace my hot water heater with a tankless?


Absolutely!

In fact, tankless water heaters are becoming the standard for new home construction because of the energy efficiency. Newer tank water heaters have a UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) rating of 0.70 compared to your standard tankless water heater that has a rating of 0.94.

Why is tankless water heater installation so expensive?

Tankless water heaters have a higher initial price compared to tank heaters, costing homeowners between $1,200–$3,500.

The higher cost is a result of a more labor-intensive set-up, as new gas and water lines are required for installation

. For electrical tankless heaters, new electric wiring will need to be installed.

Can a water heater last 20 years?

Tank water heaters will last an average of 8 to 12 years, while

tankless water heaters can last even longer, up to 20 years

. There are also electric and gas water heaters that will vary in lifespan, but in general gas ones last 8-12 years, while an electric heater could last upwards of 10-15 years.

Should I replace my 15 year old water heater?

Anyway, you should consider replacing your water heater if it's about 6-12+ years old and when you start running out of hot water faster. However, age and lack of hot water aren't everything.

You could have a 15-year-old water heater that works just fine and wouldn't need replacing

.

How long do Navien tankless water heaters last?

You can expect a Navien tankless water heater to last

15 to 20 years

, even longer with routine maintenance. One of the main advantages of having a tankless water heater is that it heats water as you need it, instead of the tank-style water heater that continuously heats an entire storage tank.

Are Navien water heaters good?

The Navien water heaters are

some of the greatest on the market today

. Tankless water heaters provide a continuous supply of hot water, and they use about as much energy as a light bulb. Navien tankless gas water heaters are well-known for their reliability and efficiency.

How long is Navien warranty?

This

15 year limited warranty on heat exchangers, 5 year limited warranty on parts, and 1 year limited-labor warranty

(“Warranty”) covers defects in materials or workmanship when the Navien NPN Water Heater (“Product”) is installed by a properly licensed plumber or contractor and operated in strict compliance with the …

Do tankless water heaters need a water softener?

Tankless Water Heaters


For customers who either already have a tankless water heater or are considering switching to tankless, a water softener is a great idea

. Because it helps protect your water heater, we will actually recommend a water softener with all tankless installs we do!

Can you use vinegar to clean tankless water heater?

Tankless water heaters will build up calcium and debris on the elements and the filters inside the machine.

It's important to perform a flush with food-grade, white vinegar at least once every 12 to 18 months

. Performing this simple maintenance will improve the efficiency and life of your water heater.

Can you use CLR to clean a tankless water heater?


CLR can be used with distilled vinegar to clean a tankless water heater

. It is designed to safely remove calcium, lime, and rust deposits from several household wares, including coffee pots, showerheads, toilet bowls, and washing machine basins.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.