How to clean an electric water heater

Is your morning shower running cold too quickly? Have you noticed a strange rumbling noise coming from your utility closet? These are signs that your electric water heater needs attention. Over time, minerals like calcium and magnesium build up inside your unit, creating sediment that kills efficiency. Whether you own a traditional tank model or a modern tankless electric water heater, regular cleaning is the key to longevity.

This guide will walk you through the professional way to clean your system. Maintaining your electric tankless hot water heater or standard unit not only saves money on energy bills but also ensures your water stays fresh and hot.

Why You Must Clean Your Electric Water Heater

Water contains minerals. When water is heated, these minerals separate and settle at the bottom of the tank or coat the heating elements of a tankless electric water heater.

In a standard electric water heater, this sediment creates a barrier between the heating element and the water. The unit has to work twice as hard to heat the water, driving up your electric bill. In a tankless electric water heater, scale buildup restricts water flow and can cause the heat exchanger to overheat and fail. To protect your investment, you should flush your electric tankless hot water heater at least once a year.

How to Flush a Standard Electric Water Heater (Tank Style)

If you have a traditional tank, the cleaning process involves draining the sediment.

• Safety First: Go to your circuit breaker and turn off the power to the electric water heater. This is critical to prevent burning out the heating element.

• Connect a Hose: Attach a standard garden hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of the tank. Place the other end of the hose outside or in a floor drain.

• Drain the Tank: Open the drain valve. To help the water flow, open the pressure relief valve near the top or turn on a hot water faucet in your house.

• Flush with Fresh Water: Once drained, briefly turn the cold water supply on and off. This stirs up the remaining sediment in the electric water heater, washing it out through the hose.

• Refill and Power On: Close the drain valve, disconnect the hose, and turn on the water supply. Wait until the tank is full (water flows steadily from a hot tap) before turning the power back on.

How to Clean a Tankless Electric Water Heater

Cleaning a tankless electric water heater is different. Because there is no tank to drain, you need to flush the internal coils with a cleaning solution (usually food-grade white vinegar). This process removes the scale that clogs your electric tankless hot water heater.

• Isolate the Unit: Turn off the power and close the incoming and outgoing water valves connected to your tankless electric water heater.

• Access the Service Ports: Remove the caps from the purge valves (service ports) on the cold and hot water lines.

• Connect the Pump: You will need a submersible pump, a bucket, and two hoses. Connect one hose from the pump to the cold water service port. Connect the second hose from the hot water service port into the bucket.

• Circulate Vinegar: Fill the bucket with undiluted white vinegar. Place the pump in the bucket. Turn on the pump and open the service valves. Let the vinegar circulate through your electric tankless hot water heater for 45 to 60 minutes. This dissolves the mineral buildup.

• Rinse: Turn off the pump, dump the vinegar, and flush the system with fresh water for 5 minutes to remove any taste.

• Restart: Close the service valves, open the main water valves, and restore power to your tankless electric water heater.

When to Replace Your Unit

Regular cleaning extends the life of your unit significantly. However, if your electric water heater is over 10 years old and leaking, cleaning won't fix it. It may be time to upgrade.

Modern units, especially the tankless electric water heater, are far more efficient than older models. An electric tankless hot water heater provides endless hot water and takes up less space. If you are tired of maintenance issues, upgrading to a new tankless electric water heater is a smart investment for your home.

Ready for an Upgrade?

Maintenance is vital, but sometimes you need a fresh start. Explore our range of premium heaters. Whether you need a durable standard electric water heater or a high-efficiency tankless electric water heater, we have the perfect solution for your home.

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