If you have a water heater with a storage tank, you may have considered going tankless. Or maybe you have a tankless water heater but still haven’t learned everything you need to know about how it works. Either way, a Gainsville tankless water heater needs professional attention. This is perhaps the most overlooked and underutilized tool for your tankless water heater.
You schedule maintenance for your car and your HVAC system, why not your water heater as well? Tank water heaters have standard maintenance expectations to keep them working in peak conditions. But many homeowners think that because tankless units are so small they don’t need the same maintenance. Don’t fall for this myth!
Scaling from Hard Water
If you have hard water running through your water lines and into your home, scaling is a concern that you need to be aware of. Scaling happens when the extra minerals in your hard water begin to build up inside your tankless water heater and the accompanying water lines.
These mineral deposits can block water flow and permanently damage your plumbing. If you have hard water, a water softener is a great way to reduce build up on all of your plumbing. This type of system removes the extra minerals like calcium and magnesium before they flow through your plumbing. If you don’t have a water softener, you need a professional to open up your tankless system and clean out the build up. Keep in mind that even if you do install a water softener, you still need to schedule maintenance to be safe.
Mineral deposits can prevent the heating elements from working as efficiently as they need to.This can lead to water that isn’t as hot, impacting your overall comfort. But the mineral deposits from hard water can also age your system faster. Hard water can speed up wear and tear so that you have to replace your tankless water heater sooner than you expect.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to do tankless water heater maintenance as often as other things. While an HVAC system needs annual maintenance, your tankless water heater only needs maintenance once every three years.
Knowing When it’s Time for a Replacement
Even regular maintenance won’t make your tankless water heater last forever. Experts estimate that a tankless water heater will last for around 20 years – sometimes longer. If your tankless water heater doesn’t last that long, it may be due to a lack of maintenance.
So, while you may see tankless water heater maintenance as an optional expense, you need to change your view. Scheduling maintenance every few years will ensure that your tankless unit lasts as long as it should. That makes maintenance appointments and investment in your tankless water heater, your plumbing, and your comfort.
Contact Affinity Gas Services today to schedule an appointment with our professionals. We’re “The Gas Efficiency Experts.”