While hard water is safe for consumption, it can create some minor and major headaches for your plumbing system. The best way to prevent scale from building up anywhere in your home, however, is to install a water softener. Make sure it is rinsed clean). You'll be taking years off of your tankless water heater which also ends up costing you more in the long run.
Over time, the accumulation of minerals will also reduce water flow and lead to "hot spots". Did you know that nearly 90% of US homes have hard water running through the taps? If there is a problem with your tankless water heater, a specific part of it may need to be cleaned. When hard water levels are high, it usually takes more laundry detergent to wash clothes and more soap and shampoo to adequately lather. It accummulates on your heating elements, slowly reducing heat transfer and water pressure, eventually causing pre-mature failure. Tankless water heaters are particularly sensitive to hard water, but so are dishwashers, ice-makers and washing machines. Hard water leads to more sediment buildup in the tankless water heater, which can damage the heating element. But it's not that old! Limescale is created when hard water gets heated. The problem with hard water is that calcium will precipitate out in hot water, collecting in aerators, washing machine filters, appliance pre-filters and within the water system of appliances. A shut off valve should be added to the pipe on each side of the filter to allow for the ease of filter replacement.
A lot of the water we use comes into contact with underground limestone, which is rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium. Water Isn't Very Hot. Hard Water Treatment for Tankless Water Heaters. However, tankless water heaters should be installed so that the heat exchanger can be chemically cleaned.
This is done several times to wash away the minerals and descale the water heater. Use this to rinse out your heater. Then you probably have hard water, but it is still worth it to investigate further. Let´s see other options, that are much more proactive than allowing some sediments of limescale to accumulate, right below. See the video below for help finding sizing information: Costs. Since there's no tank that must be replenished, you don't have to worry about running out of hot water. This device comes with a protection against leaks for seven years and three-year warranty on the parts, including the copper heating elements. However you choose to meet your home's hot water needs, you'll also want to protect the investment you've made in your water heater. Although, this is an additional expense, electric tankless water heaters are easy to install and having it done by a professional will give you peace of mind that its done correctly. Receive a water flow of up to 6 GPM with this electric tankless water heater. You can test for water hardness yourself with a home hard water test kit.
For larger households, a gas-fired tankless water heater is probably the way to go. If you don't want to bother with that, then you will need to flush your tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters are not immune to hard water either. Hard water problems affect all types of water heaters, including traditional tank type water heaters, heat pump water heaters, and also tankless water heaters. By some estimates, however, only about 30% of homes with hard water currently use any water softening products. This can lead to the dreaded "tank rupture" which cause 40-60 gallons of water to flood your basement. Prevents pre-mature heating element / heat exchanger failure. Unlike conventional water heaters, there is no backup hot water source during these emergency situations. For a more scientific view of hard water, please click here. Water Heating Solutions today to schedule your appointment! Electric tankless water heaters use indirect heat to spark the heat exchanger. Regular flushing increases water flow and can significantly cut costs. Over time, that scale can build up as thick as 3/4", rendering the dishwasher useless and will need to be replaced. The ThermaCirc360 technology means you'll have hot water fast due to the built-in recirculation pump, timer and thermal bypass valve.
Though I recommend one as it is a good investment to preserve the condition of your other appliances like a dishwasher or washing machine. If you don't flush out the sediment, you may force the unit's heat exchanger to work harder than necessary. Sediment buildup on the heating element can hinder its ability to communicate with the thermostat, causing the device to produce water at scalding temperatures. Take a look at this article to learn why winterizing your tankless water heater is so important and how to get your tankless water heater ready for the winter. While his wife was checking out the paint colors of a new house he was shopping for, Gent was testing out the water quality. Water hardness varies by geographical location, and the level of hardness is determined by the amount of dissolved minerals within the water supply. Minerals in hard water, like calcium and magnesium, can easily deposit on the internal parts of a tankless water heater and those deposits, known as scale or limescale, build up over time and create problems for the water heater. How often will you need to flush it?
The methods shown above can help protect your water heater from limescale, and regular flushing will remove any limescale that has formed. Although the RTEX-24 is capable of servicing up to 3 showers running simultaneously, proper sizing is critical to your geographic area. This is a very high score for a gas tankless and one of the reasons this heater is ENERGY STAR certified. Flushing a water heater, you will clear out the unit and then send a mixture of vinegar and warm water, or other mineral-fighting solutions, through the tankless water heater. Preventing Hard Water and Extending the life of your Water Heater. For example, sediment buildup can cause a temperature sensor to misread the temperature of the water, causing the water heater to heat it to an unsafe level. However, the calcium-build up still gets in the way of the tankless water heater's functioning. Types Of Water Softeners. Over time, the separated minerals form a scaly layer called limescale.
If you have hard water, you may want to flush the water heater twice a year. These systems completely remove the calcium and magnesium from the water as it passes through the water softener. May not offer whole home solution. Most American households have varying degrees of hard water. Treat with organic chemicals. It can reduce a water heater's lifespan by 2 or more years! Professional installation is recommended, and if your a DIY kind of person, keep in mind that improper installation may void your warranty. Last update on 2022-11-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. They effectively provide a layer of insulation between the heating surface and the water, thereby reducing heat transfer and putting extra stress on the heating element. A Scale Inhibitor System, such as the 3M Aqua Pure, is a popular and relatively inexpensive method of protecting traditional tank-style and tankless water heaters from hard water. Prevent Having A Tankless Water Heater With Hard Water With These Quick Actions. A softener holds a small amount polystyrene beads and salt. Consulting with a professional can also be helpful, as he can give you his recommendation for the flushing frequency in your area.
What else does Pride Plumbing of Rochester do for tankless water heaters? An error code could be triggered to shutdown the unit. Keep in mind that your water heater isn't the only appliance affected by hard water. No T&P (temperature and pressure) valve required. It is always a good idea to call a licensed professional plumber. If you live in an area with hard water, then you should definitely make sure you install an isolation valve on your unit if it doesn't already have them. If that type of solution is out of the budget, tankless water heater manufacturers offer in-line treatment modules that can filter or soften water and eliminate scale right at the inlet of the tankless unit. Enter your email and we will send you our coupons immediately. Flushing both traditional tank-style and tankless water heaters will help remove the limescale build-up after it has already developed. Tankless water heaters are one way homeowners can save energy. The chemical process is called ion exchange. When hard water is heated, it causes the particles to suspend in the water. In these next few sections, we are going to touch on. A tankless water heater costs more upfront—both for the unit and installation—than a traditional storage tank water heater.
That is the same principle with food, if hard water is used in the cake batter, the water evaporates during baking, then the minerals are left behind. Although, salt free water softeners don't reduce the hard water minerals, they will help prevent the build-up of lime scale. If you get one that I linked to before, you will get an alert when the scale is starting to build up. A water softener is a mechanical device which is you, or a plumber can install inline with your main water supply. Flow Rate @ 45°F Rise: 8. Point-of-use water treatment is used for only one area of your home, typically found in a fridge. Limited Hot Water for Multiple Outlets.