Photo By BanksPhotos at istock
Tankless water heaters are convenient since they supply hot water only when required, and this feature makes them energy efficient, saving you from incurring water and electricity bills. Standard water heaters store large amounts of water and constantly heats it to the required temperature, thus wasting energy.
Tankless water heaters are more durable and can serve you and your family for more than 20 years. Some of the reasons homeowners may consider tankless water heaters include an unlimited supply of hot water, lower energy bills, or extended shelf life.
Of course, any appliance will experience some problems, including tankless water heaters. They can also fail at some point, prompting you to seek water heater repair services. While some of the issues can be addressed by a homeowner, some of them are difficult to pinpoint their source, and you’ll need a tankless water heater technician near Normal, IL, to help you fix the issue. Below are some common problems you may encounter with these systems.
Cold Water Sandwich
Sometimes when you’re taking a shower in your home, water may shift from hot to cold then back to hot. It usually happens when you go to shower next after one of your family members has finished bathing. The water heater stops heating the water once you turn off the faucets. The first hot drops are the remains of the last shower, and you can get cold drops for a few seconds as the unit reheats the water.
You should let the shower run for a few seconds to have a warm shower. If you experience this frequently even when no one has recently used the shower, then it means your water heater is having some issues. You should talk to an experienced water heater repair technician to address the issue.
Mineral Build-Up
Whether you’re using a standard or demand-type water heater, you should watch out for the mineral deposits inside the water heater system. Depending on your water supplier, you can get soft or hard water in your home. Hard water contains high levels of Calcium and Magnesium.
As you heat water daily, minerals accumulate inside the system. Excess minerals can lower the efficiency of the tankless water heater if you fail to address it sooner. It may also result in discolored water that has an unpleasant smell.
Additionally, debris can accumulate in the system to the point of preventing water from flowing to the heat exchanger. If your home is getting hard water, you should request a water heater repair specialist to add a water softener to your water heating unit.
You can also have regular repair services in your home. During the process, professionals can examine the water filters and clean water pipes to eliminate minerals. By doing so, you not only lengthen the lifespan of your tankless water heater but also ensures a limitless hot water supply every time you need it.
System Overload
Each water heater is designed to heat a certain amount of water depending on the size of the family it serves. The system can be effective if you’re running not more than two taps at the same time. However, if you run too many hot water applications such as showering, laundry, or dishwashing, the system can become overloaded and may even shut down. It may also result in hot water shortage or overheating.
If you hardly experience the problem, you should consider reducing the hot water demand by turning off some taps. You can also reset the unit to give it time to recover. But if the problem occurs more often, you should contact a water heater repair technician to install a larger unit or a second unit to supplement the old one.
When purchasing a tankless water heater, you should consult a water heater repair specialist to advise you on the correct size that fits your household demands.
Exhaust or Air Blockage
Some tankless water heaters have self-acting features that enable them to detect an issue by themselves. If there’s an issue with the system, you’ll get a notification of what’s not acting right within the tankless water heater. Some homeowners can receive a notification message that there’s an obstruction in the air supply or the exhaust. If you’re not aware, tankless water heaters require a sufficient supply of fresh air wherever they are operating.
Adequate ventilation is also necessary to enhance heating efficiency. If you have blockage issues, the system will not get sufficient air for proper water heating. If you’re the one receiving an error code, check to ensure that the exhaust is open. Avoid installing a tankless water heater near objects that obstruct the air supply because it can result in fires.
The vents should also be free of debris, rodents, and bird nests. You should hire a reliable water heater repair company in Normal, IL, to conduct a thorough inspection of the unit and restore it to its normal function.
No Hot Water
Some of the tankless water heater problems can prevent you from getting hot water. If you cannot get any hot water from the system, chances are you’re pushing the system beyond its limits. If you’re running too many hot water applications at once, the system may not take in the workload.
It can also happen if you have vent problems and exhaust blockages. If your system is electric-powered, you should check the power source to ensure it’s on.
Also, if it’s cold outside, chances are you have frozen pipes, and they can prevent hot water from flowing to your taps. If you’re in doubt, contact a certified water heater repair technician to find the exact cause of the problem.
Find A Reliable Water Heater Repair Service Provider
We use hot water for our daily household activities, including showering, laundry, and dishwashing. That’s why you need a system that can provide you with hot water whenever you need it.
At Covenant Plumbing, we serve customers in Normal, IL, and the surrounding areas. We care about your comfort. We can help you get the right tankless water heater that can handle your home’s hot water demand. Our trained technicians offer installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement services. For water heater repair services, look no further. We are here to help you.
