Simply said, tankless water heaters save you money by lasting years longer and significantly lowering energy bills. A great deal of attention has been paid to the maintenance requirements of tankless water heaters. The arguments for a tankless water heater are compelling.
Can I Do My Own Tankless Water Heater Maintenance?
Navien tankless water heater maintenance is relatively simple. You certainly don’t need to be a professional plumber, but it doesn’t hurt if you are comfortable tackling the occasional DIY project. Whether or not you’re ready is entirely up to you. Be advised that if you damage your water heater while performing routine maintenance, you may void your warranty. Make sure you understand the steps as outlined in your user manual, which can be downloaded here.
What Maintenance is Needed?
There is very little that needs to be done to keep your Navien tankless water heater working properly, but there are a few maintenance items that should be performed, such as:
- Cleaning inlet filter(s)
- Cleaning air filter
- Visually inspecting the unit
- Descaling/HX Flush
How Often Should Tankless Water Heaters Be Serviced?
To be certain your Navien tankless water heater is working correctly and will provide service for many years, annual maintenance is recommended. Annual maintenance removes mineral deposits collected on heat exchangers and other parts. These deposits can interfere with the operation of your Navien water heater. If you have hard water, you may need to perform maintenance more regularly and may even need to install an anti-scale or water softener system to minimize mineral collection.
What Happens if You Don't Service Your Tankless Water Heater?
Neglecting to properly maintain your tankless water heater can lead to unwanted outcomes including:
- Mineral deposits on the heat exchanger, which reduces efficiency
- Mineral buildup in the pipes and filter, which reduces water flow
- Shorter service life
- Warranty issues - failure to perform regular maintenance as set forth in the user manual may void the manufacturer's limited warranty
Tankless Water Maintenance Extends Service Life
Many Navien tankless water heater owners decide to go the route of performing their own maintenance. If you are reasonably handy, it is rather simple, and you will save an annual financial expense. If this is the direction you choose, please consult the owner’s manual for a complete outline and checklist for this process. You can also use the Navien contractor locator to find and contact a local plumber that provides Navien maintenance services.
Learn more about tankless water heater maintenance.