How You Can Winterize Your Tankless Water Heater

As the winter approaches, making sure that your home is prepared for colder temperatures becomes a priority. While many people focus on insulating pipes and sealing drafts, don’t forget about the essential appliances that make day-to-day life more comfortable and convenient—like your tankless water heater.

To keep your tankless unit functioning optimally throughout the colder months when you need it most and to avoid unexpected water heater repair in Chatsworth, CA, our experts at Roberts Plumbing Hydro Jet & Rooter share winterization tips you can follow.

Why Winterization is Necessary

Winterizing your tankless water heater is crucial to prevent freezing, which can cause significant damage to its internal components. When temperatures drop, any water inside the unit can freeze and expand, causing pipes to burst and potentially damaging the heating elements. This can lead to expensive repairs or even the need for a complete hot water heater replacement.

Insulate the Pipes

Before the cold weather hits, insulating the pipes connected to your tankless water heater is one of the most straightforward and effective steps you can take to guard against freezing. Start by covering both the incoming and outgoing pipes with foam pipe insulation, which is designed to retain heat and prevent the cold air from chilling the water flowing through them. Be sure to select insulation that fits snugly around the pipes for maximum efficiency. Pipe insulation can usually be found at your local hardware store and is relatively inexpensive, making it an accessible and affordable winterizing solution.

Drain the Water Heater

You may be wondering why you need to drain your tankless water heater if it does not store hot water like its traditional counterpart. However, even though these compact units do not have a large reservoir of hot water, they still have small amounts of water inside that can freeze and lead to problems. First, turn off the power to the appliance and then the water supply. Locate the drain valve and attach a garden hose, leading it outside or to a suitable drainage area. Open the valve to allow excess water to drain out completely.

Once all the water has been removed, close the drain valve and disconnect the hose. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific tankless water heater model. It is also a good idea to repeat this process every few months, regardless of the season, to clear out sediment or buildup. This can help prolong the unit’s lifespan and spare you from premature new water heater installation.

Check for Leaks

Before winter sets in, it’s also important to check for leaks or potential weak spots in your tankless water heater system. Look for any cracks or holes in the pipes, especially near connections and joints. If you notice any issues, it’s best to call professional water heater services to make repairs before they escalate into larger problems.

Use a Freeze Protection Setting

Many tankless water heaters come equipped with a freeze protection mode. This setting automatically turns on when the temperature drops to a certain point, maintaining a low level of heat to prevent the unit from freezing. If your tankless water heater has this setting, make sure it’s activated before the onset of winter. Consult your heater’s user manual or speak to a plumbing professional to understand how to enable and manage this feature properly.

Reach Out to Our Expert Crew

This winter, make sure your tankless water heater can continue to provide hot water for your household without interruptions. Roberts Plumbing Hydro Jet & Rooter is here to help with all your plumbing needs, from simple maintenance to emergency repairs. As a trusted plumbing company that’s been in business for over 25 years, we take pride in consistently delivering top-quality services at competitive prices. We are licensed, bonded, and insured, so you can rest assured that any work we do will be done with the utmost care and expertise.

Contact us today or fill out our online form to request a service visit.