Hard water and Tankless
I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the fear from a perspective purchaser of a tankless water heater that they have been told that hard water MEANS they cannot use tankless technology.
NOT TRUE!
In fact, the opposite is true.
I installed my Rinnai unit at least 5 years ago. Maybe longer, can’t really remember.
I have always said that tankless units should be cleaned every six months. Since I live with very hard water I was curious what would happen if I didn’t. One year lead to two years and finally to five years without any attention. Please understand like they say on TV; do not try this at home.
My Rinnai was an earlier version that would reset the temperature to 108 degrees if there was a power failure. What I discovered was that I could live with this setting.
You need to understand a very basic law of physics. Minerals will attach themselves to pipe, etc more readily at higher temperatures. What this meant for me was that I got 5 years at 108 degrees while at 140 degrees I would have destroyed my unit.
In addition, I saved a ton of money. Why heat water to an extreme that must be treated with a shot of cold water? I could say it was another professional experiment or that I am cheap. One of those statements is true.
I was very pleased to realize how simple cleaning my Rinnai was. With the use of the service valves and the cleaning kit we sell it was child’s play.
I know that my neighbors who have water softeners and conventional tank type water heaters are only getting 8-12 years from them. I see no reason in not getting 20 years.
Hard water, bring it on!
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