You may have heard about the importance of using a sediment filter, but did you know the role they play in keeping your tankless water heater healthy? On-demand systems must be supplied with quality water, especially since they do not defend the same way as traditional tank style water heaters.
If the incoming water supply line has buildup from sediment, the tankless water heater will quickly require service. A properly maintained system can have a service life of up to 25 years, but with poor quality incoming water, disaster can strike in years and sometimes as fast as months.
One of the simplest ways to protect your unit is to make sure that the water entering your tankless is free of debris and excessive minerals. This can be done with the use of sediment filters, water softeners, and regular flushing.Sediment and Tankless Water Heaters
Sediment is simply any solid material, such as sand or debris, that collects within water. It frequently enters the home’s incoming water supply thru municipal water mains and home well systems, but it can also occur from the minerals in the water itself that precipitate out when the cool water is heated.
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Local water companies periodically open fire hydrants to help clear the sediment from their water mains. Unfortunately, sediment is part of our everyday water source, and some areas are more prone than others.
A traditional water heater will collect and “store” the sediment at the bottom of the tank. If not properly maintained, the tank will eventually develop a leak and the water heater will need to be replaced.
Tankless systems are far less forgiving when dealing with sediment. They aren’t capable of accumulating the incoming sediment, and with only the inlet filter for protection, the unit is left nearly defenseless and stands vulnerable to the incoming water supply.
If the inlet filter fills with debris and clogs, the tankless unit will malfunction and require service. Although all tankless systems have an inlet filter, it should never be relied on to protect your unit from sediment. Think of the inlet filter as a last line of defense for your water heater.
Incoming Water Quality
The quality of the incoming water supply should be carefully evaluated and addressed since it will directly impact the service life and performance of your tankless water heater.
Water must be potable, free of sand, dirt and corrosive chemicals, as well as any other contaminates. Flushing a tankless water heater is a critical task that should occur on a regular basis. Failure to flush the limescale build-up from your tankless unit will prevent your water heater from running at it’s peak efficiency, as well as shortening it’s service life. Check out our post on How to Flush Tankless Water Heaters.
Regardless of your water quality, we highly recommend installing a sediment filter. Although, sediment filters won’t take the place of regular maintenance, they will add an additional layer of necessary protection for your tankless system.
A sediment filter does exactly what the name implies. It filters the sediment from the water. Keep in mind that these filters are effective at removing sediment by straining the particles from the water, however, they do not remove strong chemicals or metals entirely.
A sediment filter is installed on the incoming water supply, and filters the water BEFORE it enters the tankless unit. These systems are effective for many reasons and will help greatly to maintain the units and its efficiency.
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