Introduction

When my wife and I installed a propane-fueled tankless water heater in our home eight years ago, we were excited about the small footprint, convenience and efficiency it promised. It delivered on our hopes, but there's one thing we didn't count on: A gradually and significant drop in efficiency thanks to our mineral-rich water.

As our well water flowed through the heater, the minerals coated the heat exchanger inside. Soon, we discovered we were burning more propane. Eventually we learned our lesson and started cleaning our water heater regularly. It's performed great ever since.

All water heaters need cleaning from time to time, especially if you live somewhere with hard water. Tank-style heaters are usually easy to clean. It's somewhat trickier for tankless units, but you can do it with the right tools and approach. Keep reading for my preferred method for cleaning a tankless water heater.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Clean water
  • Six 1-gallon jugs of regular white vinegar