How to Protect Your Tankless Water Heater From Freezing
Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand and can help you save on your heating costs. Like other home utilities, tankless water heaters are at risk of freezing in the winter. In today’s post, local electric heater contractor Countryside Plumbing & Heating, Inc. shares how to protect your tankless water heater from freezing.
Choose the right size of water heater. Size matters when choosing a water heater. A relatively small water heater won’t function efficiently if the incoming water is cold. The temperature level can vary depending on current weather conditions. For example, a tankless water heater that can produce about eight gallons per minute in the summer may only produce five to six gallons in the winter. This is why working with a local contractor like us is important. We factor in the lowest-recorded local winter temperatures — among other factors — to make sure your tankless water heater is properly sized.
Indoors vs. outdoors. Tankless water heaters are ideally placed indoors. The radiant heat coming from the home heating system can protect it from freezing. However, if you must place a tankless water heater outdoors or in an unfinished basement, choose a model that’s designed to work in such environments. Some tankless water heaters have freeze protection features built into the heat exchanger that help prevent the water passing through the unit from freezing.
Make sure the water heater is properly vented. Proper venting is a key part of tankless water heating systems. Many tankless water heaters utilize gas to generate heat, which means waste byproducts will need to be vented to prevent them from recirculating into your living spaces. Just as important is performing regular inspections of the vent pipes and making sure they’re not blocked by snow.
Run the condensate drain in a conditioned space. Leftover moisture in a tankless water heater is removed through a condensing unit and into a condensate drain. Running the condensate drain in a conditioned space can help prevent unexpected shutdowns. Most tankless water heaters are equipped with sensors that switch the unit off if the condensate drain freezes.
Call Countryside Plumbing & Heating, Inc. for Your Heating Needs
To learn more about our services and furnace prices, give Countryside Plumbing & Heating, Inc. a call at (715) 260-3335. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve the communities in the greater St. Croix Valley area.
