How to Winterize Your Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters save money in two ways. One, it only heats up water you use, cutting your energy bill. Two, it heats up water faster than a tank, and as they say, time is money. That being said, they are more expensive upfront. As such, you want to make sure it stays in top condition during the brutal winter weather of Philadelphia.

Tankless water heaters work differently than tanks (hence the different names), and must be prepared differently for cold weather. With these simple steps, you can winterize your tankless water heater and make sure you have hot water throughout the season.

Keep It Warm

The downside to having a tankless water heater in the winter is the fact that it does not have a body of warm water to keep its temperature up. As such, it is crucial it is installed indoors, preferably in a heated room. This will help prevent the unit from freezing up. Even though the tankless heater does have ways to prevent water inside it from freezing, these can only do so much in the low, low temperatures of a Philadelphia winter.

In the same light, you want to make sure all pipes are insulated. The plumbing lines carrying both hot and cold water to and from the unit are exceptionally prone to freezing. Even something like aluminum foil can go a long way, but professional insulation from a ServiceWhale contractor is even better.

Keep It Working

Flowing water is much harder to freeze than stationary water. If your unit is equipped with recirculation plumbing, keep it flowing constantly. While this will cost you more on your energy bill, it’s still a whole lot cheaper than replacing the unit entirely, even with our great specials. If you don’t have this kind of plumbing system, simply leave a faucet’s hot water knob turned slightly on so it’s at a trickling stream in order to further winterize your tankless water heater.

You also want to make sure it always has power. As mentioned above, the unit has heaters to prevent the internal water from freezing. Unplugging it can cause these to malfunction. With Philadelphia’s famous blizzards, you may even want to invest in a backup generator. If you don’t want to spend money on one to power the whole house, get one big enough to keep the hot water flowing.

Keep It Maintained

To avoid malfunction and possibly costly repairs or replacement, have your tankless water heater system checked by a professional. They can make sure you will have enough gas to keep all the appliances, including the unit, working throughout the winter. In addition, they can check for any damage or impending damage that should be taken care of before it becomes a big deal.

If you are looking for a contractor to examine and maintain your unit, look no further. ServiceWhale’s excellent contractors can winterize your tankless water heater and ensure it will last through the winter. Use our handy request form to get started today!