A tankless water heater has several benefits, including lower installation costs, smaller space requirements, and no worries about the water supply running out. But unfortunately, no matter how good the model is otherwise, even the best one will occasionally run into problems. As with any appliance, there are occasional issues that can arise with a tankless water heater that might require some time and effort to solve. Here is a list of some common problems that can occur with a tankless water heater and tips on how to troubleshoot them:

Water Temperature is too low

If the water temperature in your home is consistently below the desired level, it’s likely that the cold-water shut-off is not working properly. Cold-water shut-off is a feature that allows the water heater to turn off when the temperature reaches a set point, such as 56 degrees Fahrenheit. A faulty or broken cold-water shut-off can prevent the water heater from shutting off when needed. To check if this is the problem, turn off the water supply at the main valve or the shut-off and then check the temperature of the water coming out of the hot-water spigot. If it is below the desired temperature, the cold-water shut-off is most likely the problem.

The burner is not getting enough fuel

If you have a fuel-oil burner, you should check the oil level every few months to ensure it is full. If the burner is low on fuel, it might not be able to produce enough heat to produce hot water. If the burner is electric, it might not have enough power to produce enough heat. If the burner is gas, you might have a leak that is letting gas escape into the air instead of flowing into the tank. To troubleshoot this problem, turn off the water supply and then turn on the burner and see if it produces enough heat to raise the water temperature. If it does, then the burner might not be getting enough fuel. If the burner is electric, you might have a problem with the circuit breaker or the power supply.

The burner is producing too much heat

If the burner is producing more heat than needed, it might overheat the water, causing it to lose pressure, resulting in low water flow. If you have a gas burner, you can turn off the burner and then open a nearby pipe to release the pressure. If you have an electric burner, you can try to turn off the breaker for the burner or unplug the burner from the outlet. For an electric tank, you may have a faulty breaker that is only tripping the shut-off when the water is almost gone. This problem can also occur if the water line is clogged with debris.

The burner is not producing enough heat

If the burner is not producing enough heat, there could be a problem with the burner, the burner control board, or the gas supply. You can try turning off the water supply and then turning on the burner to see if it produces enough heat to raise the water temperature. If it does not produce enough heat, you might have a faulty burner control board. If the burner is electric, you might have a faulty breaker that is only tripping the shut-off when the water is almost gone.

There is an airlock

If you have an airlock, you either have a broken pipe or a faulty water tap. If you have a broken pipe, you will need to call a plumber to fix it. If you have a faulty water tap, you will need to replace it.

The pressure relief valve is not working

The pressure relief valve is a safety feature that will open if the pressure in the water line becomes too high. If the pressure relief valve is leaking or clogged, it might not open when needed, causing the water pressure to build up. The first thing to do is turn off the water supply and then check the pressure relief valve. If it is leaking, you will want to replace it. If it is clogged, you will need to remove the cap and clean it out.

There is an air bubble in the water line

An air bubble in the water line can cause the water to run cold or to stop flowing altogether. To fix this problem, you will need to turn off the water supply, open the water tank, and then run a pipe snake through the water line. The pipe snake will help you locate and remove any air bubbles in the water line.

Summing up

A tankless water heater is a great way to have a reliable source of hot water at a reasonable cost. However, no matter how good the model is, it will occasionally run into problems. Troubleshooting a tankless water heater is not difficult, but it will require some time and effort. If any of the problems listed above occur, contact a plumber immediately.