tankless hot water heater descaling

[O.D. Mike]

Recently shared this with a friend who has a Rinnai hot water heater. He said it didn't take him very long after watching the video.

[5/0]

Pretty good viewing, he touched base on the scaling factor cleaning based on how many occupants and water hardness which is key, but don't forget thankless systems have a internal flow checks and a strainer, which means the check vavle has to be opened to allow the de scaling process to take place and the strainer pulled.

To open the check you must run the unit on full fire then turn it off manually.
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The principal of thankless systems is incredible and versatile, you can use it for primary heating loops for baseboards while feeding a few zones for radiant heating and also have a priority call for DHW.

One of the pitfalls is you lose power you have no heat or hot water, there are way to many moving parts. Jmho.

Here's a set of four units, the one on the left is the parent and the other three are the children, they continue to communicate and take turns exercising, this will keepburn/ run time equal.
This is a commercial application each unit has two heat exchangers that modulate from 75K BTU's - 380K whit all firing at 100% they can provide 1.5 million BTU'S @ 58 gallons per minute. .

[5/0]

Also I forgotten to mention after one years use tankless systems lose 11℅ efficiency and degreses 5% at a minimum each year.
If they are not descaled.

FYI
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[iamskippy]

Originally Posted by 5/0

Also I forgotten to mention after one years use tankless systems lose 11℅ efficiency and degreses 5% at a minimum each year.
If they are not descaled.

FYI
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Very helpful post, and something i am ignorant too. How is this in comparison to a standard heater?
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[5/0]

A basic natural gas or propane, atmospheric discharge with a standing pilot has a mid 80% efficiency rating, plus if you lose power you will still provide hot water.

Very simplistic piece of equipment with no moving parts.
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[bloocrab]

Given the choice....should a new home builder go with tankless...or the old tried and true heated water tank?

What your opinion?
I've researched the pro's and cons.....but am still undecided?

[Raven]

doesn't look like that hose filter can be opened
and cleaned out... only replaced.... is that right?

[5/0]

Originally Posted by Raven

doesn't look like that hose filter can be opened
and cleaned out... only replaced.... is that right?

Raven are you talking about the draw off close to the bottom of the unit,if so do not force it open if it is plastic they become brittle over time,but if it brass you can use force on it (common sense force) if you are able to open it you'll have to pop the T&P after a few min to brake the vacuum which will allow the water to flow out at a better rate.
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[5/0]

Originally Posted by bloocrab

Given the choice....should a new home builder go with tankless...or the old tried and true heated water tank?

What your opinion?
I've researched the pro's and cons.....but am still undecided?

Hey Blue IMHO stay with a standard atmospheric discharge with a standing pilot.

If you lose power you still have hot water also they are very simple to work on and all parts can be purchased on the same day of failing.


Also purchase a unit from a supply house,do not get one from the big box stores.
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