The popularity of tankless water heaters in the United States is on the rise as more homeowners choose to install them in their homes.
The number of households with tankless water heaters has grown by 15% over the past three years alone. This means that tankless water heaters are now being used in more than 7 million homes across the country, which represents a significant increase from just two years ago when less than 6.5 million households were using them.
There are several reasons why so many homeowners are choosing to go with this type of water heater instead of a conventional one.
According to Energy Star, you can save up to 30% on your energy bill by installing a tankless water heater rather than choosing a traditional model. That’s a significant chunk of change that can add up quickly over time!
But, sometimes, things go wrong, and tankless water heaters fail to provide hot water when needed. Don’t worry. It’s a common problem, and plenty of fixes can help.
In this article, we’re going to tell you about the most common reasons why your tankless water heater might not be getting hot enough—and how to fix them!
Let’s explore.
How does a tankless water heater work?
A tankless water heater, also popular as an on-demand water heater, operates by heating water directly as it flows through the unit without the need for a storage tank. Here’s how it works:
- Water Flow: When you turn on a hot water tap in your home, cold water comes into the tankless water heater via an inlet pipe.
- Heat Exchanger: Inside the unit is a heat exchanger, typically powered by gas (natural gas or propane) or electricity. The heat exchanger is the key component responsible for heating the water.
- Heating Process: The cold water flows through the heat exchanger, which rapidly heats it using either a gas burner or electric heating elements. The heat exchanger transfers heat energy to the water, raising its temperature.
- Temperature Control: The tankless water heater is equipped with sensors that monitor the incoming water temperature. It also has a control panel that allows you to set the desired hot water temperature. The unit adjusts the heat output of the heat exchanger based on these inputs to maintain the desired temperature.
- Continuous Flow: As the water passes through the heat exchanger, it gets heated instantly, and the hot water is then delivered directly to the hot water tap or appliance you’re using. Since the water is heated on demand, there is no need for a storage tank, and you have a continuous supply of hot water as long as the unit can meet the flow rate requirements.
- Shut-off: When you turn off the hot water tap, the tankless water heater detects the decreased flow and automatically shuts off the heating process.
Why Your Tankless Water Heaters is Not Hot?
The tankless water heater is a great investment for your home. It can save you money on your energy bill and reduce the amount of space that you need to heat your water. However, sometimes it may not be getting hot enough. Here are seven reasons why that could be happening.
Insufficient Gas or Electric Supply
The first reason why tankless water heater not hot enough is the electric or gas supply issue. If you have an electric tankless water heater, make sure that the breaker is on and that there are no tripped breakers anywhere nearby. If you have a gas tankless water heater, check that the gas line is connected to the pilot light and that it’s lit.
Inlet Water Temperature
Your tankless water heater will only heat the water as hot as its inlet temperature, so if you have cold water coming into the unit, it may not get very hot at all. If this is the case for you, try installing an inline filter on your main line to improve the quality of your incoming water, and make sure it’s as clean as possible before it reaches the tankless unit.
Overwhelmed Unit
If you have too many people using the water at once, or if you’re using too much hot water in general, it can cause your unit to run out of hot water before all the water has been heated. In this case, a larger unit may be needed.
Scaling or Sediment Buildup
A lot of people don’t realize that their tankless water heater has a sediment filter inside, but it does! If you have hard water in your area, there’s a chance that scaling could build up and reduce the efficiency of your heater. You’ll need a professional water heater maintenance expert to clean out the buildup and check for other issues with your system.
Water Pressure Issues
If you don’t have good water pressure coming into your home, it will be the reason for the electric tankless water heater not getting hot enough and how much hot water it provides at any given moment in time, depending on how much pressure it is available for use inside each household location where hot showers are being taken at any given moment in time. If there is too little pressure in the water line, it will not be able to deliver hot water throughout your home.
Incorrect Temperature Setting
If your Rinnai tankless water heater not getting hot enough, it may be due to an incorrect temperature setting. If you have a tankless water heater, it is important to set the temperature correctly in order to get optimal performance. Tankless water heaters are designed to work best when set at a temperature between 120°F and 130°F.
Flow Restriction
If your incoming water supply has flow restrictions (like a low-flow shower head), it can reduce the amount of hot water flowing into your tankless unit. This will result in cooler water at the faucet. You can either replace the shower head with one with less flow restriction or install a booster pump to increase pressure when you draw water from your well or municipal system.
DIY Troubleshoot Tankless Water Heater Not Getting Hot
The tankless water heater is a new technology that heats the water as it flows through the pipes. There are no tanks and no storage of water. It uses energy to heat the water immediately before use. The advantages of this system are that it is more efficient than conventional gas, electric, or tank-type water heaters, and it saves space in the bathroom or kitchen because there is no need for a large storage tank. In addition, since there is no storage tank, there is less risk of clogging due to sediment build-up or corrosion from standing water in storage tanks.
However, sometimes tankless water heater system may not work properly and may cause problems such as:
* Slow heating time
* Not getting hot enough
* Leaking or spraying water out of the faucet
So, if you’re having trouble with your tankless water heater not getting hot, fear not! You can fix this yourself. Here are some simple tips to get your tankless water heater back up and running in no time.
1. Turn off the power supply and unplug the unit from its power source.
2. Open the gas valve by turning it clockwise until it stops moving, then adjust the knob so that there is about 1/4 inch of space between where it was originally set and where it currently sits (this will allow enough gas flow for a flame). Now turn on the power supply again and wait for one minute before turning it off again (this gives time for gas flow).
3. Make sure all connections are tight and secure before turning them on again; if they’re loose, this could affect performance or even cause damage!
4. Check the area around the water heater for any damage or leaks. If there is a leak, it will need to be repaired before you can continue troubleshooting.
5. Make sure there is no debris in the tankless water heater’s overflow tube or drain valve. If there is debris in these areas, remove it and then check for leaks again using a wet cloth or paper towel to test for moisture on the outer shell of the tankless water heater or around its base.
6. Check for any debris around your gas line that could cause an obstruction or interfere with the proper operation of your tankless water heater by reducing efficiency and causing cold spots in your home’s water supply when using high flow rates or multiple fixtures simultaneously (such as showers or faucets).
7. Check if the electrical outlet is working properly by plugging something else into it, like a lamp or TV, to make sure it is functioning properly.
8. If none of these steps work and you still have trouble getting hot water from your tankless heater after trying them all, call a professional tankless water heater repair and maintenance plumber who can diagnose what’s wrong with your unit and make necessary repairs so that you can enjoy hot water again!
How to Reset Tankless Water Heater?
If you have a tankless water heater, then you know all about the benefits—and the occasional headaches. If your tankless water heater isn’t working properly, you can try to reset the tankless water heater before calling in the professionals.
The process for resetting a tankless water heater can vary based on your particular manufacturing and model. However, here are some general steps you can follow to reset a tankless water heater:
- Turn Off the Power: Locate the power supply in your tankless water heater and turn it off. For electric units, this typically involves flipping the appropriate breaker switch in your electrical panel. For gas units, find the gas supply valve near the water heater and turn it off.
- Wait for a Few Minutes: Allow the tankless water heater to sit idle for a few minutes. This waiting period helps discharge any residual power or gas that may be present.
- Restore Power or Gas Supply: Turn the power or gas supply back on after the waiting period. Flip the breaker switch to the “on” position for electric units. For gas units, turn the gas supply valve back on.
- Check the Display Panel: If your tankless water heater has a digital display panel, check for any error codes or indicators. These codes can provide valuable information about the cause of the issue. Refer to the manufacturer’s manual to interpret the error codes and take appropriate action.
- Test the Water Heater: Once power or gas is restored, turn on a hot water tap in your home to test the water heater. Allow the water to flow for a few minutes to check if the unit is producing hot water properly.
It’s time Call an Experienced Tankless Water Heater Expert!
Tankless water heaters are one of the most revolutionary inventions in the world. They provide hot water as soon as you want it and are more energy efficient than traditional tank heaters. However, with all that technology comes more maintenance and repair issues. If your tankless water heater is not working properly, then it’s time to call an experienced tankless water heater expert!
At Wicker Trade Service Inc., we offer a wide range of services for all types of tankless water heaters. We have been in business since 2002 and have worked with many customers like you who have experienced issues with their tankless water heaters. We know what it feels like when your tankless water heater stops working properly, and we want to ensure you get the help you need.
At Wicker Trade Service Inc, we offer services including:
– Tankless Water Heater Installation Service
– Tankless Water Heater Repair Service
– Tankless Water Heater Maintenance Services in Mooresville
Our experts are highly trained in all types of tankless water heaters, so we can handle any problem that comes up. From simple repairs to complete replacements, we have what it takes to get the job done right!
Our skilled technicians will assess the problem and recommend what should be replaced or repaired based on their findings. They can also help you decide if it would be better to replace your unit altogether or just fix up whatever’s wrong with it so it functions again properly without any issues occurring down the road again later on down the road when used regularly every day by yourself or your family members.
We offer a free consultation to come out to your home or office and look at your tankless water heater. Once we have determined what needs to be done, we will provide you with a quote for the necessary repairs or replacement. Once this is complete, we will immediately start the job!
There is no reason why anyone should have to deal with an issue like this on their own—especially if there is someone who can help them out with it! Don’t wait another minute before getting in touch with us today!
Call us today at (704) 340-4810!