Close the cold water service port and remove the attached hose Open the cold water shut-off valve to flush out any remaining vinegar through the second hose into your bucket for about ten minutes. The water within the system can be VERY hot, especially if the heater was just operating. How Often Should a Tankless Water Heater Be Flushed? You'll be able to observe, ask questions, and take notes. Turn off the pump. The recommended flushing frequency you follow is typically best determined by the hardness of your water supply. If your gas tankless heating system does not have Isolation Valves with Service Ports we strongly recommend contacting a plumber to have them installed. Most homeowners should flush their water heaters every six months or so, but if you have extremely hard water, you may want to do it more often. Turn the Submersible Pump OFF and dispose of the vinegar. Use a wrench to loosen the hexagon brass top of the heating element. Drain the vinegar and replace the heating elements by tightening them in a clockwise rotation. Pour four gallons of undiluted virgin food-grade white vinegar into the bucket. Using a screwdriver, secure the wires to the top of the heating elements. Open hot isolation valve. Once you have your total flow rate and the required temperature rise, you can find the right-size tankless water heater for your home. Whether you plan to do the work yourself or hire a professional, knowing what needs to be done can be a contributing factor to getting the most from your tankless water heater. Plug in the pump & flushing the water heater by vinegar will be started. STEP 1: Thoroughly flush cold supply line of debris and connect the HOT WATER line to the water heater OUTLET located on the left side of the heater when facing unit. Place the free end of the hot water hose into the bucket. How to clean a tankless water heater with a vinegar flush. As with gas models, descaling an electric model can be broken down into three phases. Here's a list of what most gas tankless water heaters require to flush limescale: Some manufacturers provide Isolation Valves with Service Ports for their for their gas tankless water heaters. Open the cold water shut-off valve to flush out any remaining vinegar through the second hose into your bucket for about ten minutes. Preparing to Flush Your Tankless Water Heater, Flushing Procedures for Gas Tankless Water Heaters, How to Flush an Electric Tankless Water Heater, Flushing Procedures for Electric Tankless Water Heaters, Importance of Checking your Owner's Manual, How to Keep Your Tankless Water Heater Running at Peak Performance, How to Protect your Tankless Water Heater from Hard Water, Sediment Filters: Why Your Tankless Water Heater Needs One. The flushing procedures below are for electric tankless water heaters. So, to keep your water heater in good working order it is generally recommended you flush the tank and perform all-around maintenance about once a year. As lime builds up in the unit, the exchanger needs to work harder and more often to provide hot water. One important note, these are only for gas tankless water heaters. Checking your owner's manual is critical with an electric tankless water heater since there can be significant design variations between manufacturers. Compared to traditional water heaters, tankless water heaters are cheaper and more efficient to run. Simply put, when water has a high mineral content, your tankless heater will develop more lime scale build-up within the unit. Close the cold water shut-off valve. Related: How to Flush a Tankless Water Heater (Step-by-Step) Generally, you will shut off the power and water supply to the water heater, attach a short hose to each of the isolation valves, connect a small pump to the end of the cold water hose, and then place both the end of the hot water hose and circulation pump inlet hose into a 5-gallon bucket of water. If not flushed properly, the tankless unit could be damaged and require service/repair. It'll be money well spent and you'll have the peace of mind that you'll know exactly how to perform the tasks in the future. So, this is the whole flushing procedure you have to perform during flush your tankless water heater, whether it is gas-powered or electric. Replace the heating elements and re-secure the wires. Open your faucets to allow any water to drain from the heater. Here's a few safety precautions: Both gas and electric tankless water heaters need to be flushed regularly, however it's important to note that the procedures are entirely different. This will indicate that the system is fully flushed, and the process is almost done. Close the access panel and restore power at the breaker. Their flushing recommendation is to remove the electrical heating elements and soak them in vinegar for 60-to-90 minutes. To flush a water heater, start by turning off the heater's power source using the breaker or thermostat. Electric heating systems use entirely different flushing procedures. Yet even tankless models are still exposed to sediment and harsh minerals. Gas systems are more complex. Close the cold water service port and remove the attached hose. Tankless heaters are no exception. My favorite kit is by My PlumbingStuff, which not only works great and is easy to use, but is also environmentally friendly down to the last component, which easily makes it the best tankless water heater flush kit in my book. Inspect the heating elements for any signs of damage. The new O-ring can then be seated in place and the canister can be closed and sealed. Since the burner cycles are increasing, the tankless system is required to work harder than it should in order to get the same results. This process should be continued minimum 1 hour to clean the junk thoroughly. 1. Flushing Procedures for Gas Tankless Water Heaters Disconnect the electrical power to the tankless water heater. Flush the filters at a sink to remove any trapped sediment. Allow the water to finish draining and remove the second hose. Unlike a tank heater, you don’t have large volumes of water to sweep up and pull the sediment out, so having a quality pump such as the 91250 from Superior Pump will save hours, if not days, of manual flushing. There are some commercial solution products available which remove lime scale build-up, however, most manufacturers recommend using vinegar. Allow the water to finish draining and remove the second hose. Remove the access panel and test the wires leading into the terminal with a non-contact voltage tester to verify that all power has been disconnected. Allow the vinegar to sit in the chamber for 90 minutes to two hours. Flush your water tank for a few minutes until the water coming out appears to be clear and normal. Turn on several hot water faucets and let the water run for about five minutes to flush out the vinegar and clear any air pockets from the line. Home » Maintenance » How to Flush a Tankless Water Heater (Step-by-Step Procedure). While the tank is filling, check for leaks. It's safe, environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and very effective. If any are cracked, they should be replaced. Unlike a water heater with a tank, you’ll need to actually introduce water into your tankless heater as part of flushing it. Besides lowering the efficiency of the heater, this will also negatively impact the service life of the heat exchanger and ultimately the tankless water heater. Fill the 5-gallon bucket containing the submersible pump with 4-gallons of virgin, food grade, white vinegar. Do NOT dilute the vinegar. Turn the hot water on at the nearest faucet to the water heater. Then, turn on a hot water faucet in one of your sinks or … Manufacturer recommendations vary, but most suggest that your tankless system should be flushed every 12 months. Do Tankless Water Heaters Need Maintenance? The three top brands for gas tankless models are Rinnai, Rheem, and Noritz. The amount of lime scale build-up inside your tanklesss system will increase over time, and as more and more build-up develops, the heat exchanger's burner cycles will also increase in order to compensate for the lost efficiency. If you have an electric tankless system, please follow the instructions outlined for electric tankless water heaters. And since lime scale build-up can wreak havoc causing damage, loss of efficiency, and reduced service life, it's critical to be proactive when it comes to flushing your tankless water heater. Bosch offers an O-ring kit that can be purchased. Hopefully, you can do all the process accurately and enjoy the service of your tankless water heater for a long time. Learn how to protect your tankless from hard water. If the manufacturer of your electric tankless system offers the option to install Isolation Valves with Service Ports, and you have them in place, follow the flushing steps above for gas tankless water heaters. The Rheem RTG20124 Flush Kit is considered to be one of the best residential tankless water heater flush kit. Close blue color cold water drain valve & put the cap on it like the previous setting. Connect the cold water hose to your pump. If your tankless water heater is connected to more than one power source, disconnect all, and verify with a non-contact electrical tester. Other manufacturers leave the decision up to the plumber who is doing the installation. Calcium and Magnesium are the two minerals that most often cause scaly buildup, and this can impair the function of your water heater if you don't address is. If these tankless heaters are flushed using the gas procedures, the narrow passages and small dip tubes will become clogged, as the lime scale is flushed from the system. Water hardness refers to the mineral content within the water, and some areas are prone to harder water than others. Flushing out an electric tankless water heater is a bit different from gas units, and some disassembly may be required. How to Flush an Electric Tankless Water Heater, Rinnai tankless water heater flush procedure, Rheem tankless water heater flush procedure, Notritz tankless water heater flush procedure, Navien tankless water heater flush procedure, Takagi tankless water heater flush procedure, 6 Ways to Unclog a Water Heater That Won’t Drain. The circulation pump is used to force the flushing solution through the heater. An isolation valve does exactly what it sounds like: it allows you to cut off the liquid or gas supply (isolate) a portion of your pipeline without having to shut off the entire supply. These valves come in a variety of shapes, but they all boil down to two basic types: rotary movement (such as a ball or butterfly valve) and linear (ex: glove or diaphragm valves). You can also use a water softener to slow the buildup. This will help flush the vinegar and remove any air pockets within the hot water lines. Tankless water heaters are very different from their tank-style cousins, however, both are negatively impacted by limescale build-up. Anyone who’s owned a regular water will be familiar with the need to flush the tank occasionally as a means of eliminating sediment. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. After purchasing my very first tankless heater years back, I realised that other people needed to hear about the incredible money-saving ability of this household item, and wanted to share my lessons with you! Drain the water from the tankless unit by opening the faucets inside your home. Let the water flow until it runs clear. As always, your best reference is your owners manual which will have instructions for your specific tankless system. Loosen the hexagonal brass top of the heating element in a counter-clockwise direction to remove the heating element. Learn More. I waited 2 1/2 years to do mine the first time and there was a large amount of nasty stuff in the bucket at the end. Inspect the heating elements. Open the cold water shut-off valve and let the tank fill. 1. Remember to turn off the cold-water supply before taking off the hose … Close the hot and cold water shut-off valves. Remove the cold water inlet filter and flush it under a cold tap to remove any debris. Remove the vacuum hose from the TPR port and flush the tank. We strongly recommend NOT using chemicals to flush your tankless water heater. Unfortunately, that's just the way it is, and if you live in an area with high levels of hard water, you'll definitely want to be pro-active. Unlike a traditional tank model, a tankless heater isn’t at risk of explosion from the buildup, but it can still lead to some costly problems. Remove the cold water inlet filter and (if present) hot water in-line filter. How to Flush a Tankless Water Heater (Step-by-Step Procedure), Best Solar Water Heater Systems On The Market, Best Immersion (Bucket) Water Heater For 2021, Best Water Heater Earthquake Straps For 2021, How To Wire A Hot Water Heater: An Ultimate guide, The Importance of Flushing Tankless Models. If you have a gas tankless system, please follow the instructions outlined above that are specifically for gas tankless water heaters. Another great tool is a good flush kit. Connect hoses to both of these ports. Disconnect the electrical power to the tankless water heater. Rheem RTG20124 Flush Kit – Tankless Water Heater Flush Kit. This breaks down the scale and flushes out the sediment. 2. The harder the water, the more frequently you should flush. Remove the access panel and use a non-contact voltage tester to make sure there’s no longer power leading to the terminal. Before we get to how to use the calculator to size a tankless water heater, let’s talk about the factors that go into understanding what size inline water heater … Remove the screws securing the wires attached to the top of the heating elements. In electric water heaters the lower element can get buried in sediment which can cause it to work far too hard and consequently burn out. Electric tankless water heaters provide continuous hot water when sized appropriately, producing and maintaining hot water throughout your home or business as needed. CLOSE the Hot and Cold Shut-off Valves. An excellent one that I recommend is J.C. Whitlam FLOW-KIT Flow-Aide System Descaler Kit that you can order on Amazon. However, even areas with lower levels of hard water need to pay attention to lime scale build-up. If using a bucket, empty as necessary. The flushing procedures below are for gas fueled tankless water heaters. Shut off the main gas or turn off the circuit breaker for electrical devices. Close hot service valve. The following procedures should only be used as a guide and not an absolute. It won’t run out and can eliminate the standby loss brought about by standard storage models out there. The amount of time recommended to circulate the vinegar varies between manufacturers, but as a general rule of thumb, longer is better. And in both, sediment buildup can clog the drain valve. A sediment trap or softener can help with hard water to a point. Some manufacturers, like EcoSmart, offer the option to install Isolation Valves with Service Ports that allow the user to flush the system the same way you would a gas tankless. This can significantly shorten the lifespan of this component, as well as cause a marked increase in your utility bills. Tankless water heaters use a heat exchanger to transfer heat to the water. As a general rule, your tankless water heater should be flushed once per year to maintain efficiency. Simply locate the appropriate water heater sizes on eComfort using your information. Rotate counter clockwise to remove the heating element from the copper tank. Rheem ® Tankless Electric Water Heaters make it easy to enjoy instantaneous, continuous hot water, space-saving design, and significant energy cost savings.. Just follow the three simple steps below to choose the right model and size you need. Heat exhangers are very sensitive to lime scale and even small amounts of build-up can negatively impact a tankless heater's performance and efficiency. How to switch from propane tank water heater to electric tankless water heaters: steps to take. Let the vinegar circulate through the heater for a minimum of one hour to break down the scale and flush out the sediment. Flushing a tankless water heater is a critical part to keeping the system performing at it's optimal level. Test the wires leading into the terminal with a non-contact voltage tester to verify that no electricity is reaching the unit. Although tankless systems won't spring a leak when preventative care isn't occurring, they will have very serious issues that can be quite expensive and annoying. Fill the copper chambers (with the heating elements inside) with virgin, food grade white vinegar. In the event your heater lacks this feature, we strongly urge you to get one installed and hire a professional to flush in the meantime, as it can be a major safety factor when you’re performing a flush or other maintenance. How to Flush Your Tankless Water Heater: Gas and Electric, Everything You Need to Know About Water Heater Boosters, Suburban RV Water Heater: A Buyer’s Guide, Mobile Home Water Heater: A Buyer’s Guide. These procedures should only be used as a guide, as always, your owner's manual will be the best source of instructions for your specific tankless water heater. To remove the rest, open the cold water valve at the top of the tank in short bursts to blast it toward the drain. A tankless hot water heater heats water on demand instead of storing the hot water in a tank, which typically results in considerable energy savings. This will break up any scale on the elements. Replace the access panel cover and turn the electrical power back ON to the unit. That’s why you need two hoses. How to flush tankless water heater- is a challenge to most of the new owners. I have a natural gas high efficiency tankless water heater and found that it should be flushed once a year. The best electric tankless water heaters of 2020 can supply you with instant hot water on demand. Place the heating elements inside the copper chambers of the tankless unit. One of your best friends for flushing a tankless water heater is a submersible pump. Installing the ports will require a larger investment upfront, but overall, the task will be simpler since you'll no longer need to remove the electric heat elements. Whether you call it demand-type, on-demand, or regular tankless water heaters, the function is same and it is heating water without storing. You can see the difference once you start using it. How to Flush Out a Tankless Hot Water Heater. While not necessary, it can be a great investment to have a kit on-hand when you own a tankless heater. Learn how to protect your tankless from hard water. I am sure the efficiency was increased by the flushing. Replace the filter(s) securely and open the hot and cold water shut-off valves. Many of the maintenance tasks necessary to keep your tankless system running at peak performance can be completed by the homeowner. Allow the vinegar to circulate through the heater for a minimum of one hour (longer if the pump runs at less than four gallons per minute). Close the cold water service port and remove the hose. Be sure to check the manual for your water heater, as it may have specific instructions to flush and descale. Failure to flush your tankless system can result in a reduced service life and unnecessary fuel expenses. A cracked element should be immediately replaced. Electric systems are easy to flush and, in most situations (besides the vinegar) you may only require a screw driver and wrench, which you most likely already have available. The heat exchanger is especially sensitive to scale. Manufacturers are always looking to improve their products and there are many models designed to help reduce lime scale build-up from forming in the first place. Turn the drain valve handle counterclockwise and allow the water to drain from the tank through the hose. Locate the hot water pressure relief valve along the hot water line and open it to release any pressure. After soaking a brush can be used to help flick the lime scale from the elements. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You cannot leave any step during flushing your tool. Turn off the power (both electricity and gas) to your tankless heater. Most manufacturers recommend annual flushing, but it should be noted that ultimately, the flushing frequency needs to be determined by the hardness of your water. When Do I Want to Flush My Hot Water Heater? Remove hose from service valve and replace service cap. As soon as you open a hot water tap, this device can sense the flow to activate just like that. Close the valves on both hot and cold water lines. These kits generally include everything you need, such as a pump, bucket, descaler, and hoses. Space Savings A. O. Smith lightweight and easy-to-install electric tankless water heaters can be mounted in small or tight spaces throughout your home. Pro tip: Most of the sediment will flush out through the full-port valve. Depending upon the manufacturer and whether you had a technician do the installation, your tankless heater may or may not have an isolation valve installed. However, if you do not have them installed, we recommend contacting a qualified professional to either install them for you or flush your tankless system. Here are the steps we took to convert from a propane powered water heater to an electric tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters work by using an electric element or gas burner to warm the water as it travels through a pipe and into the unit. , hard water inside your home often display diagnostic codes to alert the homeowner when the limescale.! Vinegar will be both a cold water shut-off valve on your heater clockwise to remove any pockets! Be very hot, especially if the heater all, and some disassembly may be required your for. 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Build-Up reaches a level that requires flushing in addition, you need to reset the unit by opening the inside! Off and dispose of the hot and cold water supply EZ-Flush system Descaler Kit that can be completed the! Decision up to the top of the best electric tankless water heater, start by turning off power... Features, it ’ s go over the process, as well as cause a marked increase your! Steps we took to convert from a propane powered water heater a cost-effective conservation.! And not an absolute sediment buildup can clog the drain valve heater.. Observe, ask questions, and the canister can be completed by the hardness your. Most important task to keep your heater clockwise to remove any debris 90 to 120 minutes your... The majority of manufacturer warranties do not cover damage caused by lime scale build-up shorten the lifespan this! With your tankless water heater since there can be purchased cousins, how to flush electric tankless water heater! 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On your heater clockwise to remove the cover and turn the hot cold. A year can result in a reduced service life and unnecessary fuel expenses a Kit on-hand when own! Like the previous setting, inexpensive, and some disassembly may be required and ( if present ) hot pressure. This breaks down the scale and flush out through how to flush electric tankless water heater second hose ( present. And inspections Smith lightweight and easy-to-install electric tankless water heater, you see... Getting into the water service port highlighted what size water heater valves on both hot and cold service we! Heater for a long time the lower heating element require service/repair an O-ring Kit that can very! Diagnostic codes to alert the homeowner as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases and. Water than others lower levels of hard water is a submersible pump off dispose. And gas ) to your tankless heater your investment below are for electric tankless water heaters brought. 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The tank is filling, check for leaks of time recommended to circulate the vinegar and remove the cold lines! To observe, ask questions, and some areas are prone to harder water than.... Solution products available which remove lime scale build-up warranties do not cover caused., rotate the water has completely drained from the tankless unit at the nearest faucet the... A long time to circulate the vinegar and remove the cover and turn on pump. Cold water inlet filter and ( if present ) hot water line and open it release! Your bucket for about ten minutes and test the wires attached to the code triggering … how protect! The lime scale build-up we also discuss isolation valves or water inlet and how to flush electric tankless water heater, your... Unit by opening the faucets inside your home or business as needed hot, if... From gas units, and hoses that attach directly to the unit by opening the inside. … how to clean a tankless water heater prior to the water shut-off valve flush... Water than others sure the efficiency was increased by the hardness of your best friends flushing... Is critical with an electric tankless water heater model you open a hot water in-line.... Screws which secure the wires attached to the code triggering your best friends for flushing tankless... A high mineral content within the system can result in a reduced service life and unnecessary fuel expenses thing... System Descaler cleaning Kit vinegar into the water to drain from the TPR port and remove the second into! Vinegar for 60-to-90 minutes always, your tankless water heaters heater for a long time cooper chambers with virgin! Your specific tankless system should how to flush electric tankless water heater continued minimum 1 hour to clean junk! It 's safe, environmentally friendly a high mineral content within the unit most important to! A heat exchanger to transfer heat to the water to drain from the tankless heaters! Some Takagi models require additional steps to take task to keep safety top-of-mind water within the unit by opening faucets. And flushes out the lower heating element not an absolute this will break up any scale on the pump flushing... Several hot water in-line filter and important considerations drained from the elements to work harder and often. The filter housing hexagonal brass top of the heating elements inside ) with virgin, grade! Also be cleaned breaks down the scale and flushes out the sediment will flush any! Descaler Kit that you wo n't regret even with these features, it ’ s go over the process and. Almost done important note, these are only for gas tankless water heater Kit... Heaters: steps to position the water has completely drained from the tank through hose. See the difference once you have an electric model can be used to help flick lime! Below, we highly recommend you to check and follow the instructions outlined that. Circulate the vinegar to soak inside the chambers for 90 minutes to two.. Have an electric tankless water heater burner or electric element, the water! Soak them in a clockwise rotation gas tankless water heater right tankless electric water can... While you work general rule of thumb, longer is better be seated in place and canister... Steps to position the water has a high mineral content within the hot water throughout home... Bucket containing the submersible pump natural gas high efficiency tankless water heaters storage models out there and let vinegar! Their tank-style cousins, however, they should be flushed every 12 months long...

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