Tankless Flush SoCal
Tankless Water Heaters Need to Be Serviced Regularly.
Tankless water heaters are very common in new homes built in California nowadays. Many homeowners also adopted these to replace their traditional tank-type heaters.
Compared to their tank-type counterparts, tankless water heaters are generally more energy-efficient, more compact, and provide endless hot water. They often have a longer lifespan compared to tank-type heaters, but they also need to be serviced regularly to maintain their optimal performance.
Hard Water Causes Lime Scale Buildup In The Water Heater.
The Los Angeles area, including Orange County and the Inland Empire, is known for having very hard water. The mineral content in the water supply is very high (greater than 200 mg/L) as reported by USGS. If you do not have a water softening system in your home that provides treated soft water to your tankless water heater, your heater will be easily prone to mineral buildup, known as lime scale.
Minerals in the water supply, particularly calcium and magnesium, can accumulate in the heat exchanger over time, and it can be accelerated if the water heater is set at a high temperature, or if the usage is high. This buildup can act as insulation, reducing the efficiency of the heater, leading to longer heating times and higher energy consumption.
Did you know the laminar flow rate of an incompressible fluid along a pipe is proportional to the fourth power of the pipe's radius?! In simpler terms, the lime scale buildup can clog the water heater internal pipes, and lead to significantly decreased hot water flow rate. You may experience it as reduced hot water pressure, compared to when the hot water heater was first installed.
In extreme cases, the lime scale can also cause the heat exchanger to overheat and cause damages to the system.
The Flush Service Removes Lime Scale Buildup.
The flush service is an essential maintenance task that introduces a descaling agent into the tankless water heater to dissolve the lime scale. It effectively removes these mineral buildups, ensuring the optimal performance, efficiency, and longevity of the unit. Many manufacturers require regular maintenance, including flushing, to keep the warranty valid. Regular flushing can help prevent these issues mentioned above, and save you from costly repairs.
How Often Does It Need to Be Flushed?
Typically at least once a year is recommended. The frequency of flushing depends on factors such as water hardness, usage patterns, and manufacturer recommendations.
If you notice a decrease in hot water flow or a reduction in efficiency, it might be an indication that flushing is needed more frequently.
If you have a Rheem tankless water heater, and the remote control unit (the controller with a temperature display) prompts an error code of "1L", that means it has detected scale build-up in the heat exchanger, and requires the flush service immediately! For Rinnai water heaters, the error code for the same issue is "SS" or "LC".