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. There will be both a cold water service port and hot water service port. 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. Learn More. Manufacturer recommendations vary, but most suggest that your tankless system should be flushed every 12 months. If you have a gas tankless system, please follow the instructions outlined above that are specifically for gas tankless water heaters. In addition, you'll want to keep safety top-of-mind. The Rheem RTG20124 Flush Kit is considered to be one of the best residential tankless water heater flush kit. Close hot service valve. Electric heating systems use entirely different flushing procedures. Simply locate the appropriate water heater sizes on eComfort using your information. So, this is the whole flushing procedure you have to perform during flush your tankless water heater, whether it is gas-powered or electric. Flushing a tankless water heater on a regular basis is the single most important task to keep your heater running at peak performance. Inspect the heating elements for any signs of damage. Checking your owner's manual is critical with an electric tankless water heater since there can be significant design variations between manufacturers. Hard water contains minerals which can lead to lime scale build-up. Turn OFF the electrical power to the tankless unit at the breaker. Shut off the electrical power at the breaker. Use the service (isolation) valve and connect the circulation pump (such as a pond pump) to the cold water line (garden hose is OK). 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. Place your submersible pump into a five-gallon bucket. Locate and close the gas isolation valve. The best electric tankless water heaters of 2020 can supply you with instant hot water on demand. Their flushing recommendation is to remove the electrical heating elements and soak them in vinegar for 60-to-90 minutes. The water within the system can be VERY hot, especially if the heater was just operating. Examine the tank for any signs of leaks (the paper towel test work wonders here). However, even with these features, it's a good idea to flush your tankless water heater prior to the code triggering. Disconnect the electrical power to the tankless water heater. Remove the cold water inlet filter and (if present) hot water in-line filter. Next, rotate the water shut-off valve on your heater clockwise to turn off the cold water supply. Below, we've highlighted what size water heater you would need in our example of 6.5 GPM at a 63° F temperature rise. How to Flush Out a Tankless Hot Water Heater. As mentioned in the above section, we highly recommend using Isolation Valves with Service Ports. Be sure to check the manual for your water heater, as it may have specific instructions to flush and descale. This breaks down the scale and flushes out the sediment. 4-gallons of virgin, food grade white vinegar. Inspect the heating elements. 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. Home » Maintenance » How to Flush a Tankless Water Heater (Step-by-Step Procedure). Pro tip: Most of the sediment will flush out through the full-port valve. 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. Higher-end systems often display diagnostic codes to alert the homeowner when the limescale build-up reaches a level that requires flushing. Locate the hot water pressure relief valve along the hot water line and open it to release any pressure. 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). Turn the Submersible Pump OFF and dispose of the vinegar. If any are cracked, they should be replaced. 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 cover and double check that no electricity is reaching the unit by using a. 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. Learn how to protect your tankless from hard water. 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. Turn off the power source for your tankless water heater. Once you have your total flow rate and the required temperature rise, you can find the right-size tankless water heater for your home. Allow the vinegar to sit in the chamber for 90 minutes to two hours. 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. Remove the screws which secure the wires to the heating elements. Rotate counter clockwise to remove the heating element from the copper tank. Place the free end of the hot water hose into the bucket. The harder the water, the more frequently you should flush. Turn off the pump and pour the vinegar. 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. 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. Rheem RTG20124 Flush Kit – Tankless Water Heater Flush Kit. Open the hot and cold service ports and turn the pump on. Just like the gas fueled models, hard water is a concern because of the lime scale build-up that accumulates with use. Once you have the necessary tools and supplies on hand, the cost of performing your tankless water heater maintenance can be as low as purchasing a few gallons of vinegar! We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Locate the hot and cold shut-off valves and close them to prevent any water getting into the unit while you work. As lime builds up in the unit, the exchanger needs to work harder and more often to provide hot water. Before we get into any steps, it’s vital that we also discuss isolation valves. Close blue color cold water drain valve & put the cap on it like the previous setting. How Often Should You Flush a Tankless Water Heater? Unlike traditional water heaters, the hot water supply is not stored in the tank.This makes a tankless water heater a cost-effective conservation option. 1. Using a gas burner or electric element, the device heats water directly for you to use in your home. Flushing out an electric tankless water heater is a bit different from gas units, and some disassembly may be required. While the tank is filling, check for leaks. Electric tankless water heater's need less maintenance than gas heating systems, however, they still require periodic maintenance and inspections. Shut off the main gas or turn off the circuit breaker for electrical devices. I also made a … However, the hardness  of your water plays a part in this, and you may find it better to flush two to three times per year if your home’s water is especially poor quality. 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. 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. Close (turn off) the three water valves attached to your tankless water heater. 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! If this happens, professional repair will most likely be necessary. The term is essentially synonymous with a shut-off valve. Turn the drain valve handle counterclockwise and allow the water to drain from the tank through the hose. Drain the water from the tankless unit by opening the faucets inside your home. 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. 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. It won’t run out and can eliminate the standby loss brought about by standard storage models out there. Turn off the power source for your tankless water heater. Here are the steps we took to convert from a propane powered water heater to an electric tankless water 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. Let’s go over the process, as well as some useful tools and important considerations. As with gas models, descaling an electric model can be broken down into three phases. This prevents cold water from flowing into the water heater and hot water from coming out during the cleaning process. 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. Failure to flush your tankless system can result in a reduced service life and unnecessary fuel expenses. Do Tankless Water Heaters Need Maintenance? Close the valves on both hot and cold water lines. 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. Close the cold water service port and remove the attached hose. These articles will help you get the most from your tankless heater: If you are a first time tankless water heater owner, you may want to consider hiring a professional to flush your system the first time. When Do I Want to Flush My Hot Water Heater? Do NOT dilute the vinegar. An excellent one that I recommend is J.C. Whitlam FLOW-KIT Flow-Aide System Descaler Kit that you can order on Amazon. Tankless water heaters are very different from their tank-style cousins, however, both are negatively impacted by limescale build-up. 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. Tankless heaters are no exception. This will help flush the vinegar and remove any air pockets within the hot water lines. Remove the cold water inlet filter and flush it under a cold tap to remove any debris. 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. 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. How Often Should a Tankless Water Heater Be Flushed? For your convenience, here are specific guides for each brand: No matter which brand of gas tankless water heater you have, there are a few phases in flushing that must be done in order, but are all fairly simple to follow. 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. Tankless water heaters use a heat exchanger to transfer heat to the water. Open the hot and cold service ports and turn on the pump. choose the right tankless electric water heater for you. How to switch from propane tank water heater to electric tankless water heaters: steps to take. Whether you call it demand-type, on-demand, or regular tankless water heaters, the function is same and it is heating water without storing. If your gas tankless heating system does not have Isolation Valves with Service Ports we strongly recommend contacting a plumber to have them installed. Step 5 Open the cold water supply when the water has completely drained from the tank. 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. Other manufacturers, such as Bosch, use a design with smaller water flow channels which require an entirely different flushing method. Electric tankless water heaters provide continuous hot water when sized appropriately, producing and maintaining hot water throughout your home or business as needed. Let the vinegar circulate through the heater for a minimum of one hour to break down the scale and flush out the sediment. A sediment trap or softener can help with hard water to a point. Allow the vinegar to soak inside the chambers for 90 to 120 minutes. 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. 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. 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. Fill the 5-gallon bucket containing the submersible pump with 4-gallons of virgin, food grade, white vinegar. Open hot isolation valve. 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. 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. While not necessary, it can be a great investment to have a kit on-hand when you own a tankless heater. The circulation pump is used to force the flushing solution through the heater. 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. 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. Connect hoses to both of these ports. We highly recommend you to check and follow the specific cleaning instructions regarding your unit. Place the heating elements inside the copper chambers of the tankless unit. These kits generally include everything you need, such as a pump, bucket, descaler, and hoses. Knowing how to clean a tankless water heater can help you get the maximum amount of efficiency and longevity out of your investment. The following procedures should only be used as a guide and not an absolute. Flushing Procedures for Gas Tankless Water Heaters Disconnect the electrical power to the tankless water heater. How to clean a tankless water heater with a vinegar flush. Flushing your tankless water heater is an important maintenance task to keep your system operating at peak performance, but before starting, you'll need to get your supplies together. Flush out any sediment and debris from the filter housing. Remove the access panel and test the wires leading into the terminal with a. Allow the water to run for 10 minutes, then CLOSE the. And in both, sediment buildup can clog the drain valve. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Replace the access panel cover and turn the electrical power back ON to the unit. Close the cold water shut-off valve. Drain the vinegar and replace the heating elements by tightening them in a clockwise rotation. A flush kit will come with a tankless water heater descaling pump and hoses that attach directly to the isolation valves or water inlet. It's safe, environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and very effective. If you have an electric tankless system, please follow the instructions outlined for electric tankless water heaters. 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. This delivers a near endless supply of hot water and provides instantaneous comfort and convenience. Please read why it's important to check your owner's manual here, Rinnai Tankless Error Codes: How to Troubleshoot, Tankless Water Heater Buyer’s Guide: What You Need to Know. If your tankless water heater is connected to more than one power source, disconnect all, and verify with a non-contact electrical tester. 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. One important thing to remember is that the majority of manufacturer warranties do not cover damage caused by lime scale build-up. Tankless Reviews was created with the goal of helping people to understand the benefits and practical knowledge related to tankless water heaters. You cannot leave any step during flushing your tool. Close the access panel and restore power at the breaker. As a general rule, your tankless water heater should be flushed once per year to maintain efficiency. Tankless water heater sizing calculator. 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. Let’s take a look at how the naturally occurring sediment in your water affects the heater and ways to make flushing easier and safer. Loosen the hexagonal brass top of the heating element in a counter-clockwise direction to remove the heating element. Pour four gallons of undiluted virgin food-grade white vinegar into the bucket. Over time, the calcium and debris build up inside the tank will start to grow and if not flushed time to time, that might create clogging issue and serve you dirty water. Open the cold water shut-off valve to flush out any remaining vinegar through the second hose into your bucket for about ten minutes. Flush your water tank for a few minutes until the water coming out appears to be clear and normal. As soon as you open a hot water tap, this device can sense the flow to activate just like that. This process should be continued minimum 1 hour to clean the junk thoroughly. 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. Turn off the power (both electricity and gas) to your tankless heater. One connects the unit to a pump (which pushes the water in) and the other connects to the isolation valve (catching the water as it expelled from the tank after making its way through). CLOSE the Hot and Cold Shut-off Valves. The flushing procedures below are for gas fueled tankless water heaters. Vinegar is a safe and effective cleaning agent and is environmentally friendly. Other manufacturers leave the decision up to the plumber who is doing the installation. However, even areas with lower levels of hard water need to pay attention to lime scale build-up. Connect the cold water hose to your pump. Another great tool is a good flush kit. Navien models tend to be more straightforward, but some Takagi models require additional steps to position the water control valve properly. You should always use caution when working with your tankless water heater. The recommended flushing frequency you follow is typically best determined by the hardness of your water supply. Disconnect the electrical power to the tankless water heater. Fill the copper chambers (with the heating elements inside) with virgin, food grade white vinegar. To flush a water heater, start by turning off the heater's power source using the breaker or thermostat. If not flushed properly, the tankless unit could be damaged and require service/repair. You'll be able to observe, ask questions, and take notes. 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. 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. 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. To remove the rest, open the cold water valve at the top of the tank in short bursts to blast it toward the drain. Store the heating elements in the cooper chambers of the heater so that they can also be cleaned. That’s why you need two hoses. Learn how to protect your tankless from hard water. Hopefully, you can do all the process accurately and enjoy the service of your tankless water heater for a long time. OPEN several hot water faucets inside your home and allow the water to run for about 5 minutes. Close the hot and cold water shut-off valves. Allow the water to finish draining and remove the second hose. 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. From your stove to toilet, a wide range of items in your house have some form of isolation valve installed for maintenance or emergency purposes. Bosch offers an O-ring kit that can be purchased. As always, your best reference is your owners manual which will have instructions for your specific tankless system. Turn the hot water on at the nearest faucet to the water heater. To avoid damage, flush your water heater every six months with the Eccotemp EZ-Flush System Descaler Cleaning Kit. Remove the access panel and use a non-contact voltage tester to make sure there’s no longer power leading to the terminal. Flush the filters at a sink to remove any trapped sediment. 2. With electric heaters, scaling can burn out the lower heating element. Disconnect the electrical power going to the heater. The flushing procedures below are for electric tankless water heaters. Flushing a tankless water heater is a critical part to keeping the system performing at it's optimal level. After soaking a brush can be used to help flick the lime scale from the elements. After descaling your Tankless water heater, you need to reset the unit to make it usable again. Always check your owner's manual for specific instructions regarding your tankless water heater model. You can see the difference once you start using it. Although, we highly recommend having a professional check your unit annually, the flushing task is not too difficult and can save you money if you do it yourself. Using a screwdriver, secure the wires to the top of the heating elements. Open your faucets to allow any water to drain from the heater. When you think of a tankless water heater, you probably aren’t thinking tankless water heater maintenance. 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 an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Switching to tankless water heaters isn’t that hard! Remove hose from service valve and replace service cap. Many of the maintenance tasks necessary to keep your tankless system running at peak performance can be completed by the homeowner. This will break up any scale on the elements. If using a bucket, empty as necessary. This can significantly shorten the lifespan of this component, as well as cause a marked increase in your utility bills. This will indicate that the system is fully flushed, and the process is almost done. They also require far less maintenance or space to operate. Remove the access panel. One of your best friends for flushing a tankless water heater is a submersible pump. 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. The heat exchanger is especially sensitive to scale. 1. I have a natural gas high efficiency tankless water heater and found that it should be flushed once a year. How to flush tankless water heater- is a challenge to most of the new owners. We strongly recommend NOT using chemicals to flush your tankless water heater. Replace the heating elements and re-secure the wires. With the proper care, a tankless water heating system can have a service life of up to 25 years and save you money every month in utility expenses. 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. Remove the screws securing the wires attached to the top of the heating elements. There are some commercial solution products available which remove lime scale build-up, however, most manufacturers recommend using vinegar. 4. One important note, these are only for gas tankless water heaters. Plug in the pump & flushing the water heater by vinegar will be started. Replace the filter(s) securely and open the hot and cold water shut-off valves. Since the burner cycles are increasing, the tankless system is required to work harder than it should in order to get the same results. Although, this article will deal specifically with flushing your tankless water heater, we highly recommend that you read our other articles that cover caring for your system. To make matters worse, lime buildup isn’t covered in most warranties. Compared to traditional water heaters, tankless water heaters are cheaper and more efficient to run. Flush your tankless water heater for 3-5 minutes or until water flows clear by opening the cold isolation valve and allowing water to exit through the hot service valve into a drain or bucket. 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. The new O-ring can then be seated in place and the canister can be closed and sealed. Updated: September 2020. You can also use a water softener to slow the buildup. Remove the vacuum hose from the TPR port and flush the tank. Please read why it's important to check your owner's manual here. Yet even tankless models are still exposed to sediment and harsh minerals. They are a worthwhile investment that you won't regret. Turn off the pump. 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. Use a wrench to loosen the hexagon brass top of the heating element. Close the cold water service port and remove the hose. Gas systems are more complex. I am sure the efficiency was increased by the flushing. That’s why it’s important to know first why and when it’s needed, then how to flush a tankless water heater, be it gas or electric. Then, turn on a hot water faucet in one of your sinks or … Open the cold water shut-off valve and let the tank fill. Unlike a water heater with a tank, you’ll need to actually introduce water into your tankless heater as part of flushing it. Test the wires leading into the terminal with a non-contact voltage tester to verify that no electricity is reaching the unit. Let the water flow until it runs clear. Simply put, when water has a high mineral content, your tankless heater will develop more lime scale build-up within the unit. A cracked element should be immediately replaced. 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). Water hardness refers to the mineral content within the water, and some areas are prone to harder water than others. The amount of time recommended to circulate the vinegar varies between manufacturers, but as a general rule of thumb, longer is better. Flushing will require a big bucket to put the pump in, as there’s no simple drainage option as there is with the average tank model, hence the need for a submersible model pump. Fill the cooper chambers with undiluted virgin food-grade white vinegar. Be careful, as the hot water will be hot. Remember to turn off the cold-water supply before taking off the hose … It usable again power source for your tankless water heater to electric tankless water heaters isn ’ thinking. Break down the scale and flush the filters at a sink to remove the second hose recommend you use. Total flow rate and the required temperature rise, you need, such as Bosch use... Next, rotate the water to finish draining and remove any trapped sediment steps, it be! That requires flushing specific instructions regarding your tankless system, please follow the specific cleaning instructions regarding your unit to... A plumber to have a Kit on-hand when you own a tankless water heater your owner 's here. 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