If you have a tankless water heater, then you know that it can run hot and cold on occasion. This is because tankless heating units are designed to run without any delays as they heat water. It’s not unusual for tankless heaters to be running on high one second and low the next.
The problem is that this could potentially make your tankless water heater less efficient, which may cause your energy bill to go up! Let’s find out why your tankless water heater runs hot and cold, what causes these fluctuations, and how they can be resolved.
Although the situation is rare, you could come across a tankless water heater problem known as a cold water sandwich. Your water heater will produce hot water for a few seconds, followed by a blast of cold water (cooler), then ample warm water. It almost seems like your tankless water heater shuts down for a moment before heating water, but that’s not the case.
This can occur when one fixture is used immediately after another fixture has been turned off. You’ll get some hot water stored by the faucet, followed by cold water from the tankless water heater before the gas burner can fully heat the heat exchanger.
If you’re washing your hands, a cold water sandwich probably isn’t a huge deal. But it’s aggravating if you’re stuck with a cold shower when you want hot water. Here’s how you can resolve this annoying water temperature fluctuation.
You have two options for fixing a cold water sandwich: installing a recirculating system or putting in a small tank water heater. In fact, some manufacturers today already offer this buffer tank.
If you don’t need a lot of hot water at the same time, adding a recirculating system–or return loop–to your tankless unit will resolve the heat exchanger delay. However, it’s important to note additional energy is consumed in the process.
Have more significant hot water needs? You can bolster your tankless water heater’s capacity and get rid of that burst of cold water by adding a small tank water heater. This water heater connects to the return loop. It only has a five-gallon storage tank, making it very energy efficient.
But don’t forget that when appropriately sized, a tankless water heater’s capacity is practically endless.
Most tankless water heaters require you to (size) extend your gas line for ample gas supply. If you’ve already completed this, but it’s still running hot and cold, then your line is the wrong size. Upgrading your gas meter might be necessary to ensure your water heater is getting enough fuel.
The appropriate line size for a tankless water heater should be between 1/2″-3/4″ in diameter. If yours is too small, call a Midway Services Expert for gas line replacement.
Tankless water heaters require you to have a direct connection into the supply and return lines. If plumbing was done incorrectly or a pressure balancing shower valve needs repair, cold water can seep into the hot water line, making the hot water lukewarm. You’ll get bursts of hot and cold water until that line heats up after constant use. Recognizing this problem can be difficult by yourself, without help from a professional plumber.
You have two options when it comes to fixing an improper plumbing system crossover. You can either raise the thermostat on your tankless water heater or install a pressure balancing valve.
If you prefer to raise the thermostat, then you’ll need to constantly use hot water at every tap. This will steadily raise the temperature of your hot water supply, allowing it to heat up in your return line.
If you prefer to install a pressure-balancing valve in your gas line, it monitors the temperature of your home’s incoming gas line. It will also balance out any excess pressure when cold water enters the system, so you won’t get bursts of hot and cold water.
A broken flow sensor can cause your tankless water heater to run hot and cold. The flow sensor measures the water entering your system and sends that information to your unit’s control board. If there’s a burst of cold coming into the system, then the controller adjusts the flame. This ensures you get enough hot water throughout your home right away.
You need to work back toward the source of the problem. Take a look at your system’s gas pressure, thermostat or water heater assembly for issues. If you have a faulty flow sensor, it’s important to have Midway Services replace it so your tankless water heater runs efficiently.
The water filter used on the cold water inlet of instantaneous (tankless) water heaters extends its life span and maintains energy efficiency by capturing (sediments), calcium, lime and iron. If it gets too dirty, you’ll not only be getting surprise bursts of cold and warm water, your natural gas bill can rise sharply. You might have to descale your tankless heater if there’s excessive mineral buildup.
Regularly replace your system’s filter so it can function at its best. We encourage doing this around every six months or so.
Corroded lines (in your home) are a common reason why you’ll experience bursts of hot and cold water. A few signs of this problem include discolored water or rusty-brown particles in the water. As water moves through your home’s plumbing system, internal corrosion can dislodge and become trapped in your tankless heater’s filter.
You should call a Midway Services plumber for an inspection. Corroded lines can result in more serious problems beyond tankless systems and are best replaced.
Similar to a dirty water filter, mineral buildup from hard water can create issues with how tankless water heaters generate hot water. In fact, this type of buildup is the number one cause of temperature problems.
It’s best to call Midway Services for a plumbing inspection. Depending on the severity of the issue, we will sometimes need to descale your tankless systm or install a water softener.
Hard water is a common problem for North American homeowners. Nearly 90% of households in the U.S. and 85% of households in Canada have hard water.
Not having soft water can result in a lot of issues, such as:
One of the most annoying things about a tankless system that runs hot and cold is how hard it can be to determine why your water heater is doing this. Your Expert plumber in Clearwater will offer professional advice as we explain what needs to happen next.
This includes diagnosing tankless water heater problems to resolving any issues we might discover during our visit. Don’t let frustration get the best of you! Contact us at 727-219-2471 today to schedule your appointment.
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