Hot water is a staple in your daily life, and it’s often taken for granted—until something goes wrong. 

What you don’t know is that issues in your tankless unit develop over time, and may eventually have an impact on water quality, water pressure and the overall volume of water available to your home.

Tankless hot water heaters can be a great investment for your home or office. Newer versions are very efficient and can save you money if set up properly. Although it’s less common, there are some potential issues that could arise if something isn’t working correctly within the unit. 

Common Tankless Water Heater Problems

Here are six of the most common tankless water heater problems:

  • Mineral Buildup
  • System Overload or Breakdown
  • Cold Water Sandwich
  • Air Supply or Exhaust Blockage Message
  • No Ignition Message
  • Flame Failure Message
  • Pipe Issues

In addition, look for these telltale signs of water heater failure:

  • Changes in water quality. If you see chunks of sediment, or water appears cloudy or rusty.
  • Unusual odors. If water has a metallic smell or taste, there could be iron present. 
  • Banging or rumbling noises. This potentially indicates that so much sediment has built up that it’s hardened on the inside the unit. 
  • Pressure & temperature inconsistencies. If testing valves and increasing temperature settings provides no relief, your heater could be signaling to you that it’s losing efficiency.
  • Warning messages and/or error code on the unit.

Tankless Water Heater Troubleshooting Tips 

If you find yourself faced with any of these tankless water heater problems, continue reading for troubleshooting tips. 

1. Changes in water quality

Check online or call your local water plant to see if there have been any recent changes in water quality. You can also request your water be tested to ensure safety or to eliminate inflow as a sediment cause.

2. Unusual odors

Pick up a water testing kit at the local hardware store or ask a pro to check your water source to eliminate iron. This can be an immediate safety concern if iron levels are present in large amounts. 

3. Banging or rumbling noises

Give us a call to perform a service check and determine whether or not your hot water heater is taking in sediment. 

4. Pressure & temperature inconsistencies

Keep track of changes. If they are becoming more frequent and dramatic over time, or if it’s affecting your quality of life, it’s a good idea to have a service call so that you can measure efficiency levels of your unit.

5. Warning messages and/or error code on the unit

Check your unit’s manual for steps on what the code could mean and if it could possibly be an error. We’ll come out to assess your tankless unit and identify the root cause. Be sure to take note of the warning message and time for a more accurate report.  

Learn about tankless water heater repair and installation

Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth The Investment? 

At Robinson’s Plumbing, we’re here to help you navigate the options and decide what’s best for your home—and your budget.

Many of our customers see the benefit of installing tankless water heaters because they’re compact, efficient and reported to save nearly 40% on energy costs (DOE). 

Here are a few things to consider before deciding to go tankless:

Is your conventional water heater taking up valuable space? 

Large, bulky tank water heaters require storage space many of us can’t afford. Tankless units let you regain space in your home because they’re mounted on the wall instead of installing in corners, closets, basements and utility rooms.

What are your family’s hot water needs? 

The EPA estimates that a family of four uses 400 gallons of water per day. Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand, so regardless of household usage, you save money, energy and reduce waste by only heating water when you need it.

What do life expectancy and investment mean to you? 

Tankless models cost up to three times as much as a tank water heater, but they more than compensate for it with their unique benefits. If you’re replacing equipment for the long haul, tankless is a great suggestion.

Do you want to save money on maintenance, repairs and energy costs? 

If your budget supports the investment in tankless, it won’t be long until you start seeing a return. Literally maintenance-free, you don’t have to worry about leaks and plumbing repairs, and you’ll notice the money instantly saved on your water bill.

Professional Tankless Water Heater Repair & Installation 

Robinson’s Plumbing provides residential plumbing service, including water heater maintenance, repair, and installation in Richmond and Charlottesville. 

Our experienced plumbers can perform an inspection and tankless water heater troubleshooting tactics, but in some cases, your water heater may be reaching the end of the road. Let us help you decide on the best water heater for your home, lifestyle, and budget.

Learn about tankless water heater repair and installation