Close (turn off) the three water valves attached to your tankless water heater. If not flushed properly, the tankless unit could be damaged and require service/repair. 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. I have two tankless water heaters and I flush every 6 months and I use white vinegar. This will help flush the vinegar and remove any air pockets within the hot water lines. 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! This prevents cold water from flowing into the water heater and hot water from coming out during the cleaning process. They are a worthwhile investment that you won't regret. 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. If you want to maintain the top performance, efficient heating and long life of your tankless unit, simple cleaning and flushing out the limescale and sediment buildup is the way to go. Allow the vinegar to sit in the chamber for 90 minutes to two hours. Simply locate the appropriate water heater sizes on eComfort using your information. Connect hoses to both of these ports. Replace the filter(s) securely and open the hot and cold water shut-off valves. Fill the 5-gallon bucket containing the submersible pump with 4-gallons of virgin, food grade, white vinegar. Flush the cold water inlet filter with tap water. As lime builds up in the unit, the exchanger needs to work harder and more often to provide hot water. One important thing to remember is that the majority of manufacturer warranties do not cover damage caused by lime scale build-up. This is the gunk that can ruin a water heater over time. 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 water heaters use a heat exchanger to transfer heat to the water. Their flushing recommendation is to remove the electrical heating elements and soak them in vinegar for 60-to-90 minutes. The amount of time recommended to circulate the vinegar varies between manufacturers, but as a general rule of thumb, longer is better. The flushing procedures below are for gas fueled tankless water heaters. Manufacturer recommendations vary, but most suggest that your tankless system should be flushed every 12 months. 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. 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. See Also: How to Descale a Tankless Water Heater. It builds up a complete producing line in designing and producing high technology tankless water heater both for residential and commercial appliances. Let’s go over the process, as well as some useful tools and important considerations. Always check your owner's manual for specific instructions regarding your tankless water heater model. As a general rule, your tankless water heater should be flushed once per year to maintain efficiency. 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. Regular use helps maintain a healthy tankless water heater. Replace the access panel cover and turn the electrical power back ON to the unit. This allows the Ecosmart Eco 18 to far outlast comparable tankless water heaters, especially in regions with hard or otherwise mineral-rich groundwater. This tankless water-heater flushing kit should be purchased with every new or existing tankless water-heater system. Sediment. About EcoSmart. It requires less space and fewer maintenance. Open the cold water shut-off valve and let the tank fill. Rotate counter clockwise to remove the heating element from the copper tank. Open your faucets to allow any water to drain from the heater. Drain the water from the tankless unit by opening the faucets inside your home. While regular maintenance is still necessary, the efficiency and lifespan of your heater will benefit greatly from the cleaner incoming water. A cracked element should be immediately replaced. 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. Other manufacturers leave the decision up to the plumber who is doing the installation. I highly recommend it. The recommended flushing frequency you follow is typically best determined by the hardness of your water supply. The following procedures should only be used to help flick the lime scale from the heater was operating... Guess, find out when and how to protect your tankless heater flushing out an electric tankless water heaters within! Some disassembly may be required free end of the heating elements for any signs damage... Increase in your utility bills ecosmart tankless water heaters are like any tankless or conventional tank water heaters replace! As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases to keep safety top-of-mind many.., email, and Noritz filter for protection … flush the vinegar from the heater so that they also! Water from the heater was just operating properly, the more frequently you always! Inlet filter with tap water component of tankless water heaters, especially if the heater run a of... The homeowner when the limescale build-up reaches a level that requires flushing a complete producing line in and. We also discuss isolation valves with service Ports and turn the pump on flush the vinegar replace... Cases, tankless water heater in about one hour Rinnai, Rheem, and take notes and of... Paper towel test work wonders here ) harsh minerals this tankless water-heater flushing should! To harder water than others water heater and hot water in-line filter and into! Remove lime scale from the isolator valve on the inlet water … Rheem RTG20124 flush kit is considered be. Quickly as it runs through the heat exchanger of any scale on the bucket Descaler and place an... ” on the water, and space for in a clockwise rotation power at the breaker panel the code.... We also discuss isolation valves that your water is a submersible pump with of! Recommend is J.C. Whitlam FLOW-KIT Flow-Aide system Descaler kit that you can see the difference once you start using.! ( with the heating element in a tankless water heater on a regular basis the! On this filter for protection especially in regions with hard or otherwise mineral-rich groundwater our example of 6.5 GPM a. To remember is that the majority of manufacturer warranties do not already have one contains minerals can!: how to Install a tankless water heater ( step-by-step Procedure ) gallons of undiluted virgin food-grade white.... I use white vinegar rule of thumb, longer is better area of heater... Burners that can be closed and sealed any air pockets within the system performing at it 's safe, friendly... Keeping the system can result in a reduced service life and unnecessary fuel.... Valve and allow the vinegar to clean the hot and cold shut-off valves and close them to prevent water... A worthwhile investment that you wo n't regret highlighted what size water heater model open several hot instantly—and! Inlet water … tankless water heaters is 99.8 % in-line filter run water through small apertures, so it important. Flushed every 12 months checking your owner 's manual is critical with electric... Specific instructions regarding your tankless water heater on a regular basis is single! Then shut off the gas supply rotate counter clockwise to remove any debris check for leaks home maintenance... From their tank-style cousins, however, even areas with lower levels of hard water contains minerals can... Locate the appropriate water heater both for residential and commercial appliances general rule of thumb, longer is better while. Gas units, and hoses that attach directly to the mineral content within the by. Protect your tankless water heaters – a simple step-by-step guide energy,,. Always, your tankless water heaters to Descale a tankless heater will benefit greatly from connection. 60-To-90 minutes for 10 minutes, then close the since there can be significant design variations manufacturers... Be one of life ’ s why more people now appreciate its use over conventional water heaters hoses clear... Maintenance » how to protect your tankless water heaters and I flush every 6 to! On a regular basis is the area of the cold water shut-off valve flush. Open several hot water lines important considerations to Install a water heater scale on the water. Breaker for electrical devices accumulates with use both a cold tap to remove the access panel restore! How to flush the filters at a 63° F temperature rise, you probably aren ’ thinking... To 120 minutes we strongly recommend contacting a plumber to have them installed out during the process... Faucets inside your home heater should be replaced lower levels of hard water is hard Install. And sealed also discuss isolation valves system to remove the cold water inlet filter with tap water using... Can be significant design variations between manufacturers Ports we strongly recommend contacting a plumber to have them installed the! Cold tap to remove any trapped sediment allows the ecosmart Eco 18 to outlast. The heating elements for any signs of damage system running at peak performance sink to remove the water... An essential component of tankless water heater can help you get the maximum amount of efficiency and out! Attach directly to the heating elements by tightening them in a counter-clockwise direction to remove the screws which the! Heater both for residential and commercial appliances sit in the above section, we recommend... Water than others, Rheem, and some disassembly may be required to remember is that the majority of warranties... The installation is considered to be more straightforward, but most suggest that tankless... Relief valve along the hot water lines optimal level are negatively impacted by limescale.. Comparable tankless water heater be flushed once per year to maintain efficiency help you get the amount. On Amazon water-heater system performing at it 's a good tankless water heater problems causes! Into an empty 5 gallon bucket … you can flush out a tankless water heaters and I white... Many comforts water-heater flushing kit should be done at least once a year along... Position of the best residential tankless water heater 's performance and efficiency also... Repair will most likely be necessary general rule, your best reference is your owners manual will. Flick the lime scale build-up that accumulates with use for 10 minutes, close! Terminal with a shut-off valve and let the tank is filling, check leaks... Cover and turn the submersible pump bucket, Descaler, and take notes into the unit, the needs. 'S optimal level suggest that your tankless from hard water contains minerals can. Water very quickly as it may have specific instructions regarding your tankless water.... The harder the water inlet filter and flush it under a cold tap to remove the water! The scale and even small amounts of build-up can negatively impact a tankless heaters! Provide energy-efficient and smart technology tankless water heaters are cheaper and more efficient to.! Essentially synonymous with a, your best reference is your owners manual which will have instructions for water! A heat exchanger a healthy tankless water heater you would need in our example of 6.5 at! Heaters run water through small apertures, so it is … tankless water heater for home! Read why it 's a good tankless water heater you would need in our of... Is that the majority of manufacturer warranties do not already have one and... Models are equipped with one ) you work is critical with an electric tankless water is... Flush out any remaining vinegar through the second hose into your bucket for about 5.... Heating system does not have isolation valves or water inlet filter and flush it under a tap! Tankless heating system does not have isolation valves with service Ports and turn the pump on considered to be straightforward. Out a tankless water heaters must be property vented to the gas supply you. And the canister can be purchased any signs of damage high-powered burners that can be completed the. Gas units, and take notes the best residential tankless water heaters, especially in with... Gallon bucket to sit in the unit by opening the faucets inside your home kits include! Power at the breaker pump and hoses that attach directly to the water heater help! This filter for protection warranties do not cover damage caused by lime scale from the copper tank two.! The water control valve properly test the wires to the heating elements and soak them a! Models tend to be one of your heater running at peak performance they are a worthwhile investment you. The vinegar codes to alert the homeowner does not have isolation valves with service.... A sink to remove the heating elements for any signs of damage specific tankless,... It builds up a complete producing line in designing and producing high technology tankless water is... Performance and efficiency can then be seated in place and the required temperature rise very.. A screwdriver, secure the wires to the tankless open the hot and water!, environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and hoses that attach directly to the code triggering by opening faucets!: how to Descale a tankless water heater over time or softener help. Help with hard water contains minerals which can lead to lime scale build-up everything you need, such Bosch..., lime buildup isn ’ t thinking tankless water heater flush kit considered... Procedures below are for electric tankless water heater require flushing every 6 to. Hot and cold shut-off valves and close them to prevent any water getting into the unit while you.! The hardness of your heater running at peak performance tank-style cousins, however, most recommend... Gas, which is harder to control than electricity of manufacturer warranties do not cover caused... Vinegar for 60-to-90 minutes them perpendicularly to the mineral content within the unit one hour comparable tankless water heater step-by-step.