Hard Water And Your Tankless Heater
A tankless or on-demand hot water heater means you never have to go without hot water. These appliances can deliver what seems to be an unlimited supply of hot water, never leaving you in the cold again. Unless, of course, there is an issue with the heater. Hard water buildup is a common problem that can plague tankless water heaters, but the following guide can help you prevent the problem.
Causes
Dissolved minerals in the water are the culprit for scale buildup. Calcium, lime, and other hard minerals are naturally present in the water. When the water is heated inside the hot water heater, the minerals precipitate out of the water and coat the heating element, the inside of the water tank, and the hot water supply hoses. Over time, this coating interferes with several aspects of your heater, including its ability to heat water and the water capacity that can flow through it at any given time.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is poor heating. This is because the scale covering the heat exchanger prevents it from transferring heat quickly and efficiently to the water passing through. You may also notice reduced water pressure or a weak flow. Scale buildup in the supply lines is the culprit when this happens. Many modern tankless heaters are also equipped with a scale buildup sensor. The heater will sound an alarm or show an error code when the scale begins to interfere with the operation.
Prevention
The only way to completely prevent scale buildup is to not allow hard water to enter your tankless heater. Hard water tends to be regional, so if your region has hard water, the only way to avoid it is with the installation of a water softener. A whole house softener is the best option, especially if you have multiple tankless heaters (such as on a multi-story home). The minerals will be removed from the water long before they reach the hot water heater.
Repair
If you already have mineral buildup, the good news is the repair is relatively simple. Your plumber will flush the tank to remove all the mineralization that has built up. The supply lines, taps, and shower fixtures may also need to be cleaned and flushed if scale buildup has affected them. How often you flush is dependent on the hardness of your water. It could be as often as annually or as infrequently as every few years. Your plumber can help you develop a schedule.
Contact a plumber in your area for more help with tankless water heaters.
Share