How to Perform Tankless Water Heater Internal Maintenance
If you have installed a Noritz tankless water heater, then you know the convenience and water-saving benefits it yields by providing hot water on demand for your clients. To keep that hot water flowing at the correct temperature, however, they need to know to call you back to perform regular maintenance every two to three years.
In this post, we will look at how to perform tankless water heater internal maintenance.
- Make sure to turn the gas valve off and unplug the unit.
- Remove the heater’s front cover with a Phillips head screwdriver and inspect the inside, looking for any corrosion or discoloration.
- Detach the white detectors from the flame rod and ignition plug and remove the screws on the sides with a Phillips head screwdriver. Do not use power tools, as they might strip the screws.
- Carefully remove the flame rod and sensor. The flame rod and ignition plug can be cleaned with fine grit sandpaper. Do not touch the end of the probes that go into the burner, but make sure there is no buildup on them.
- Next, disconnect the gas manifold connection from the wiring harness by pressing the top connector. To remove the C clamp, hold the gas manifold in place and pull out the clamp.
- Remove the gas manifold by using a Phillips head screwdriver to remove its four large screws. It will loosen but not fully release. Push up on the gas manifold pipe and remove the gas manifold to reveal the burner chamber.
- Now it’s time to inspect the fan. Remove the GFCI mounting bracket plate. Carefully push the wires aside and remove the two screws. Gently move the plate away. Disconnect the fan from the wiring harness by pressing the top connector. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the three fan screws. Pull the entire fan motor and blades from its housing.
- If the fan is dirty or clogged with debris, you can clean it using a brush. Brush under the burner plate to remove any bugs or debris. Continue to clean the entire fan by brushing around as necessary. Use compressed air to remove any remaining particles. If the fan is really dirty, soak it in a degreaser. The fan blade will need to be removed from the motor and completely dried before reinstalling. Use compressed air to blow out all of the components until they are clean. Repeat as needed.
The tankless unit has now been serviced and is ready to put back together. All maintenance info can be found in your Noritz homeowner’s guide.
To view video instructions for this maintenance process, please click here.