Two-thirds of Americans are choosing eco-friendly appliances, and 70% of consumers say they would pay more for them. For some households, a popular option is a tankless water heater. Are they worth it? Do they need a lot of water heater repairs and replacement? Here’s the best answer.
- Hard Water Mineral Build-Up
Do you know if you have hard water? Hard water is simply higher than normal amounts of minerals such as calcium, iron, or magnesium in your water system. Although hard water has a bad taste, it is not harmful to humans. It can quickly damage the parts or shorten the life expectancy of your appliances from prolonged sedimentary build-up, however. You may also personally experience dry skin, spots on dishes, and basin or faucet stains. While you likely can’t tell by looking at your water, you can find out by performing a quick experiment.
Tip: Get a clean plastic soda bottle. Fill it three-quarters of the way up with the faucet water. Add ten drops of dishwashing liquid in it and shake it. If there are little to no bubbles and the water is clear, you likely have hard water.
Tip: Flush your tankless water heater by removing the drain hose and pump to remove the liquids from the unit. Then, put the hot water hose in the bucket and open the main valve of the cold water. Flush the unit out for five minutes.
- Gas Burner Part Repair or Replacement
While gas tankless water heaters last longer than electric units, gas burner parts often require a replacement during its lifespan. Flow sensors trigger the gas burner, but over time they can become clogged with dirt and debris. Proper maintenance will prevent this issue.
- Ventilation Issues
A gas-burning tankless water heater requires proper ventilation for its fumes. Without it, a home’s occupants may experience issues like carbon monoxide exposure. Over time, the heat exchanger will also fail because poor ventilation causes acid condensation to form inside.
- Heating Element Replacement
Tankless water heaters can either be electric or gas. Electric tankless water heaters may eventually have issues with heating elements without the proper maintenance. If you have hard water, the sediment will build up quickly because the unit is smaller. Our plumbing experts will happily inspect your unit and offer advice on whether you need tankless water heater repairs and replacement. If it is a heating element, it is a simple repair issue. If there are other underlying repair issues or it is aging, replacement is often a better solution.
Which Is Better Tankless or Tank?
We often get asked if a tankless or tank water heater is better. The simple answer is that it depends on want you want or need. Both unit types have pros and cons, but our experts have four decades of plumbing knowledge and experience to perform an inspection and give you the best choices.
To learn about tankless water heater repairs and replacement needs in a home, call us at (781) 521-2188. You can also visit our J Griffin Heating and Plumbing Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JGriffinHeatingandPlumbing/ where we will respond in a direct message to your inquiries.
