Can Tankless Water Heaters Freeze in the Winter?

During the cold, frosty winter months, tankless water heaters require a bit of extra care and attention, as this equipment can be prone to complications due to freezing. A heating and  air conditioning repair  technician explains this matter in detail below.

Fortunately, many manufacturers offer models with built-in freeze protection that enables the equipment to protect itself when temperatures drop below freezing. For example, some water heaters have ceramic heaters placed on the heat exchanger and other internal parts. These ceramic heaters fire up if temperatures drop to around 30 degrees, preventing the internal parts from freezing.

Still, tankless water heaters can freeze if certain precautions aren’t taken.  Below a  heating repair  specialist shares essential tips for wintering your heating equipment:

First off, turn off the unit and unplug its power source. Then, proceed to turn off the water supply and drain the water from the unit. Reduce the water pressure and disconnect the pipes from the heater. Afterward, don’t forget to place covers on the intake and exhaust vents to keep debris out.

When installing a dual vent system, make sure the vent pipes are faced away from the wind to stave off freezing. Then, install drain pipes in areas not subject to freezing conditions, such as inside walls. Allow for adequate combustion for other gas-fueled appliances so that negative draft won’t freeze the water in the tankless water heater unit. Alternatively, use a backdraft damper to prevent airflow in the opposite direction. Finally, you can stream hot water continuously to prevent freezing.

You can count on R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. for water heater maintenance,  drain and sewer repair , heating and cooling installation and more. Call (541) 249-7876 to learn more about our top-quality products and services. You may also fill out our convenient  online form  to schedule an appointment with one of our certified technicians.

The post Can Tankless Water Heaters Freeze in the Winter? appeared first on R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc..