2 Important Maintenance Tasks for Your Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters are much easier to take care of than regular water heaters. Tankless water heaters can also help save a lot of energy if taken care of properly. Although tankless water heaters are easier to take care of, they still require a little bit of maintenance.
Clean the In-Line Screen Filter
One of the most important tasks you will have to take care of with a tankless water heater is cleaning the in-line screen filter. The in-line screen filter is responsible for moving debris from the water before it enters the heart of your tankless water heater.
To clean the in-line screen filter, you will want to turn off the water supply going into the unit. After that, you will need to unscrew the plug on the inlet fixture of the heater to pull out and remove the filter.
Once you remove the filter, you can rinse it off in some water. You can put the filter back into place when it is still damp. Once the filter is clean, you can put it back into the heater and screw the plug back in place. Remember to turn back on the incoming water supply.
The exact procedure for cleaning the screen filter can vary a little bit from one manufacturer to the next, which is why it is a good idea to consult your owner's manual or have a qualified technician change the screen filter for you.
You should clean the screen filter regularly. If you have water that tends to have lots of debris in it, you may need to clean the filter frequently.
Clean Away the Limescale
The second thing you need to do is remove the limescale that can develop inside of the heating chamber on your tankless water heater. Limestone is just the accumulation of minerals from the water. Over time, limestone tends to build upon the inside of the tank's heating chamber. This can result in your heater making a louder sound when it is heating water. Limestone buildup can also damper the efficiency of your unit.
Mineral deposits are not something that you can completely prevent. That is why you should flush your tankless water heater at least once a year to remove all the mineral deposits from your unit. This will help ensure that the efficiency of your unit is not impacted.
To flush your unit, generally, you need to attach a hose to the unit to remove any water still inside and then flush the tank with some vinegar to clean it. The vinegar will come out of the hose as well. Once again, consult your owner's manual for the exact instructions for removing limestone from your particular unit. Or you can call a professional to take care of this task for you.
With a tankless water heater, you will want to remove the limestone buildup at least once a year. These are tasks you can learn how to do on your own, or you can hire a plumbing professional to take care of them for you.
If you need help with your water heater, contact a plumbing business, such as ATWH.
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