Common Problems That May Plague a Tankless Water Heater
Just like a traditional water heater, tankless water heaters can malfunction, develop leaks, and look worse for wear. It’s best to prepare yourself for potential problems with your water heater in the future as this can eliminate added stress and allow you to have a level-headed response to the problem.
There are many reasons a tankless unit may malfunction, but more often than not, it’s a result of waste buildup, a lack of maintenance or environmental factors. Having any problems with your unit can lower the water pressure in your home, cause water to contain contaminants or make it harder for the unit to heat the necessary water supply. Below, you will find some of the more common problems that may plague a tankless water heater and how you can handle the issue.
Signs Of A Problematic Unit
Bear in mind, most problems with a tankless unit slowly progress over time versus presenting themselves all at once. Instead of seeing one large problem, you may witness smaller more isolated incidents that point to a potentially malfunctioning water heater. If left untreated, these problems can easily progress in due time, so it’s best to watch out for the following signs:
The water quality is cloudy or contains pieces of sediment.
The water has a metallic taste or odour that may point to rust.
Banging or rumbling noises are coming from the connected plumbing pipes.
The digital display has an error code.
It is hard to set the water temperature to a comfortable setting and the water pressure changes.
If your water heater is experiencing any of these common symptoms, it’s best to have a professional come and take a look. These symptoms can point to a number of problems such as plumbing pipe leaks or mineral buildup.
Why Is It Important to Act In Haste?
If you notice the symptoms above but refuse to act, it may lead to costly repairs or the need to purchase a new unit altogether. Most of these symptoms are telltale early signs that more issues are to be expected in the near future. Though not always detrimental to the unit completely, your water heater will still function less efficiently over time unless these problems are adequately resolved.
Tankless water heaters are ideal because they are on-demand units that require significantly less space than traditional counterparts. However, much like with any other home appliance, these units are also prone to developing major problems. Proper maintenance and routine checkups can ensure that your unit functions well while getting a handle on problems as they arise can decrease operational costs.
Steps To Take If You Find a Problem
Finding a problem with your unit should prompt you to take the next step, which is calling a professional HVAC contractor. Though it’s best to leave everything to the experts, you can conduct a bit of your own troubleshooting. Here are four steps you can take to address the problem at hand:
- Call your local water utility supplier as the problem may not lie with your unit. A decrease in water quality may also potentially point to a utility problem versus one with your water heater.
- Get a water quality testing kit as it can shed some light on the overall quality of your water supply. Most importantly, the right kit can help you detect potentially dangerous iron levels.
- If you notice that your water heater suffers from inconsistent water pressure and temperature, make it a point to pay close attention to it over the course of a week. If you see that there’s a lot of variation in the output quality of your water supply, it could point to a serious problem. If the changes are imperceptible or gradual, it still means that maintenance is necessary.
- Does your unit come with a digital display? If so, you can research the error code to discover where the problem lies yourself. Refer to the manual that came with your unit or look on the manufacturer’s website. Depending on what the error code represents, the solution may be simple. However, for more complex problems, make sure to reach out to a professional.
Contacting A Professional
Calling a professional is the best course of action if you’re unsure how to proceed or what the actual problem with your unit is. Leaving the problem unattended may mean risking the functionality of your unit or worse, causing damage to your personal property.
If you ever need professional HVAC services that you can trust, don’t hesitate to contact us! With our friendly technicians we want to help homeowners. We can ensure that your unit doesn’t experience downtime and your home will function as well as it should. After all, fast and affordable services are well within your reach!
