Clean Navien Tankless Heater Like A Pro: Must-Know Steps

Maintaining optimal performance of your Navien tankless water heater requires regular cleaning. The descaling process, crucial for removing mineral buildup, directly impacts its efficiency and longevity. Neglecting this essential maintenance can lead to reduced hot water flow and potentially costly repairs handled by a qualified plumbing professional. This guide provides must-know steps on how to clean a Navien tankless water heater, ensuring it operates at peak condition and extending its lifespan. Consider using a DIY flush kit to make the process easier.

Image taken from the YouTube channel Water Heaters Now , from the video titled Navien Tankless Cleaning Water Heaters Now .

How To Clean A Navien Tankless Water Heater Like A Pro

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step explanation of how to clean a Navien tankless water heater, ensuring optimal performance and longevity. Regular cleaning is crucial for preventing mineral buildup, maintaining efficiency, and avoiding costly repairs.

Why Cleaning Your Navien Tankless Water Heater Matters

• Prevents Scale Buildup: Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium. Over time, these minerals accumulate inside the water heater, forming scale.
• Maintains Efficiency: Scale acts as an insulator, reducing the heater's ability to transfer heat effectively. This forces the unit to work harder and consumes more energy.
• Extends Lifespan: Excessive scale buildup can damage internal components, leading to premature failure.
• Improves Water Quality: Scale can flake off and contaminate your hot water supply.

Preparing to Clean Your Navien Tankless Water Heater

Gather Your Supplies

Before you begin, gather the following materials:

• Navien Service Valve Kit (Highly Recommended): This kit simplifies the cleaning process and minimizes the risk of leaks.
• Submersible Pump: A small pump (e.g., aquarium pump) to circulate the cleaning solution. Ensure it's compatible with vinegar.
• Two Buckets (5-gallon): One for the cleaning solution and one for the rinse water.
• White Vinegar (at least 4 gallons): The primary cleaning agent.
• Adjustable Wrench or Pliers: To connect hoses and open valves.
• Gloves and Eye Protection: To protect yourself from cleaning solution splashes.
• Hoses (washing machine hoses work well): To connect the pump to the water heater.
• Towels: To clean up any spills.

Safety Precautions

• Turn off the power: Locate the breaker for your Navien tankless water heater and switch it off.
• Turn off the gas supply: Locate the gas shut-off valve near the unit and turn it off.
• Allow to cool: Let the water heater cool down completely before starting the cleaning process.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

1. Isolate the Water Heater:

   • Using the Navien service valve kit (if available) close both the hot and cold water inlet/outlet valves on the unit.
   • If you don't have the kit, you can use the existing shutoff valves near the unit. Be very careful as these are more prone to leaks.

2. Drain the Water Heater:

   • Locate the drain valve at the bottom of the unit.
   • Attach a hose to the drain valve and direct the hose to a drain or bucket.
   • Open the drain valve and allow all the water to drain out of the unit.
   • Close the drain valve once empty.

3. Connect the Cleaning System:

   • Connect one hose from the submersible pump outlet to the cold-water inlet service valve (or the cold-water inlet port if you don't have service valves).
   • Connect another hose from the hot-water outlet service valve (or the hot-water outlet port) to the bucket that will contain the used cleaning solution.

4. Prepare the Cleaning Solution:

   • Fill one bucket with white vinegar. You might need to dilute it with water depending on how hard your water is (a 50/50 mix is a good starting point).
   • Submerge the submersible pump in the bucket containing the vinegar solution.

5. Circulate the Cleaning Solution:

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   • Plug in the submersible pump. This will circulate the vinegar solution through the water heater.
   • Allow the solution to circulate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2-3 hours for heavily scaled units. The longer the circulation, the more effective the cleaning will be.

6. Flush with Clean Water:

   • Turn off and unplug the submersible pump.
   • Remove the hoses from the water heater.
   • Disconnect the hose from the drain valve and close the valve.
   • Open the cold-water inlet valve (or the cold-water inlet port if you don't have service valves) to allow fresh water to enter the unit and flush out any remaining vinegar and loosened scale.
   • Open the drain valve to allow the water to drain out.
   • Repeat this flushing process until the water runs clear, and there is no noticeable vinegar smell.
   • Close the drain valve.

7. Re-establish Normal Operation:

   • Close the hot-water outlet service valve.
   • Slowly open the hot-water outlet valve (or the hot-water outlet port) to refill the unit with water. This will help to purge any air from the system.
   • Turn on the gas supply.
   • Turn on the power at the breaker.

8. Test and Verify:

   • Run hot water at several faucets to ensure the water heater is functioning correctly and the water is heating up properly.
   • Check for any leaks around the service valves or connections.

Recommended Maintenance Schedule

Cleaning your Navien tankless water heater should be part of your regular maintenance routine. The frequency depends on your water hardness:

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