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Tankless water heater maintenance is the regular process of flushing, descaling, and inspecting your on-demand water heater to keep it running efficiently and extend its lifespan.
Here's a quick overview of what it involves:
Tankless water heaters last up to 20 years — double the lifespan of a conventional storage tank unit. But that lifespan depends almost entirely on how well the unit is maintained.
Over time, minerals like calcium and limescale build up inside the heating chamber. Left unchecked, that buildup erodes internal components, reduces hot water flow, and drives up your energy bills. One homeowner who skipped flushing for just two years was shocked by how much mineral gunk came out — and committed to annual maintenance from that point on.
The good news? Most of this is straightforward to manage, whether you tackle it yourself or call in a pro.
I'm Luke Jordan, owner of iRepair Heating and Air, and my team services tankless water heaters across Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, and Park City every day. Tankless water heater maintenance is one of the most common service calls we handle, and in this guide I'll walk you through everything you need to know to keep your hot water flowing reliably year-round.
Think of your tankless water heater like a high-performance sports car. It’s sleek, efficient, and provides "power" (hot water) on demand. But just like that car needs an oil change, your heater needs a regular tune-up. The primary enemy of your system is scale. When water is heated, minerals like calcium and magnesium solidify and stick to the internal surfaces of the heat exchanger.
According to The Importance of Tankless Water Heater Maintenance, these mineral deposits act as an insulator. This means your unit has to work harder and run longer to heat the same amount of water, which tanks your thermal efficiency and sends your utility bills climbing. Over time, this buildup can actually erode the walls of the heating chamber, leading to pinhole leaks and a total system failure long before the unit hits its 20-year potential.
| Feature | Maintained Unit | Neglected Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 20+ Years | 10–12 Years |
| Energy Efficiency | Remains High (90%+) | Drops 10–20% over time |
| Water Flow | Consistent & Strong | Gradually Decreases |
| Repair Risk | Low | High (Scale damage) |
| Warranty | Fully Protected | Often Voided |
Limescale isn't just a threat to efficiency; it’s a mechanical hazard. It can clog flow sensors, which are the "brains" that tell the unit to turn on when you open a tap. If the sensor is blocked, you get a face full of cold water. Furthermore, buildup on the burner assembly can cause uneven heating or "hot spots" that damage the metal.
At iRepair Heating and Air, we provide Reliable Plumbing Services in Salt Lake City Utah to catch these issues before they turn into midnight emergencies. Most manufacturers also explicitly state in their manuals that failure to perform annual maintenance can void your limited warranty. If a $500 part breaks because you didn't spend 45 minutes flushing the unit, you might be stuck with the bill.
The standard rule of thumb is to perform tankless water heater maintenance at least once a year. However, "once a year" isn't a magic number for everyone. Your specific schedule depends on two main factors: how much hot water you use and how "hard" your water is.
If you have a large family in Sandy or Draper running three showers and a dishwasher simultaneously every morning, your unit is processing a massive volume of water—and therefore a massive amount of minerals. In high-demand households, we often recommend a 6-month or 9-month maintenance interval. To help make this routine more affordable, we offer a Water Heaters Coupon for our local customers.
Water quality is the biggest variable in the Wasatch Front. Areas around Salt Lake City are known for having "hard" water, which is high in Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). When this hard water is heated, the minerals settle out rapidly.
If you don't have a whole-home water softener, you are essentially "cooking" rocks inside your heat exchanger every day. In these conditions, flushing every 6 months is often necessary to prevent the unit from throwing error codes. As noted in the Use & Care Manual for Electric Residential Water Heaters, monitoring your water quality is the first step in protecting your investment.
Flushing a tankless unit is a process of circulating a cleaning solution through the heat exchanger to dissolve mineral deposits. While it sounds technical, it’s a standard DIY project for many homeowners. If you'd rather have a pro handle the mess and ensure it's done to manufacturer specs, you can use our Water Heater Flush Coupon to save on your next service.
Before you start, gather these items:
While flushing the heat exchanger is the "big" task, it’s not the only thing on the checklist. A tankless unit has several other components that need love to stay efficient.
Most modern units, like those from Navien or Rheem, have an inlet water filter (a small screen) designed to catch pebbles or sediment before they enter the machine. According to Tankless Water Heater Maintenance Tips, you should unscrew this filter, rinse it under cold water, and scrub away any grit with a toothbrush.
Don't forget the air intake filter. If this gets clogged with dust or pet hair, the burner won't get enough oxygen, leading to inefficient combustion and "sooting." Additionally, check your exterior vent terminations. Birds love the warmth of exhaust vents and often build nests there during the Utah spring. Ensure there are no obstructions like nests, ice, or debris blocking the airflow.
You can certainly DIY this if you are comfortable with basic tools and following a manual. DIY kits are available at most hardware stores in Salt Lake City. However, if your unit is under warranty, some manufacturers require a licensed professional to perform the work to keep the coverage valid. A pro will also check gas pressure and flame rod health—things most homeowners can't do safely.
If you notice any of the following, don't wait for your annual date:
This is a common complaint with tankless units. Because there is no "tank" of hot water sitting near your shower, the unit has to heat the water and then push it through the cold pipes. You can improve this by:
Regular tankless water heater maintenance is the secret to getting that full 20-year lifespan and enjoying those endless hot showers without a massive energy bill. Whether it's a quick filter cleaning or a deep vinegar flush, staying on top of these tasks saves you money and stress in the long run.
At iRepair Heating and Air, we are a family-owned business dedicated to keeping Utah homes comfortable. From Sandy to Tooele and everywhere in the Greater Salt Lake Area, our team offers same-day emergency service and fair, transparent pricing. If you’re not comfortable tackling the descaling process yourself, or if your unit is acting up, we’re the Plumbing Salt Lake City experts you can trust.
Give us a call today to schedule your annual maintenance and keep your hot water flowing!