- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
How Long Did Your Tankless Water Heater Last?
Posted on 1/23/24 at 9:42 am
Posted on 1/23/24 at 9:42 am
If you've replaced a tankless hot water heater, how many years did it last?
And what brand was it?
According to Navien phone support, our 10-year-old unit might have a cracked heat exchanger.
Navien advertises a 20-year life expectancy, but the very hard water in our area makes that doubtful.
Regardless, different local service techs have all told me that Navien is the best brand if you've got hard water.
And what brand was it?
According to Navien phone support, our 10-year-old unit might have a cracked heat exchanger.
Navien advertises a 20-year life expectancy, but the very hard water in our area makes that doubtful.
Regardless, different local service techs have all told me that Navien is the best brand if you've got hard water.
13
Posted on 1/23/24 at 10:25 am to WB Davis
You really need to do the descale service. Navien has a stainless steel heat exchanger and most have copper so it should be the longest lasting heat exchanger on the market. That being said any unit is only going to be as good as the maintenance performed. I think they make some inline filters that are supposed to descale the heaters now but im not sure how well they work. If you end up replacing the whole water heater i would suggest adding a softener to your incoming line.
Posted on 1/23/24 at 11:31 am to Themicah86
Who services these things? Plumbers?
Posted on 1/23/24 at 11:59 am to WB Davis
Mine lasted about 3.5 years. Luckily it was still under warrenty. Mine was an American something or other. I wouldnt have one again.
Posted on 1/23/24 at 12:21 pm to WB Davis
Mine lasted 8 years and the company went out of business. I was SOL on parts and switched back to tanks.
Posted on 1/23/24 at 12:57 pm to WB Davis
No help from me OP. I would hope a big company like Navien would stock parts for thier old units for many years. Doesn't seem like a heat exchanger would be too difficult to replace or wildly expensive but I could be way wrong.
I'm letting other people sus out the lifespan and maintenance over a decade or two before I dip my toe in the tankless world. Even if the concept is good, the quality and tech that goes into them could be following the same path as cars, hvac and appliances.
hope you get a good outcome
I'm letting other people sus out the lifespan and maintenance over a decade or two before I dip my toe in the tankless world. Even if the concept is good, the quality and tech that goes into them could be following the same path as cars, hvac and appliances.
hope you get a good outcome
Posted on 1/23/24 at 1:38 pm to SloaneRanger
quote:
Who services these things? Plumbers?
Yea just call a local plumber, tell them what type you have and ask then if they offer annual service. Should only cost about $100
Posted on 1/23/24 at 1:59 pm to WB Davis
Built in 2022. The decision was made for tanked heaters.
So happy I didn't choose tankless. Neighbors complain the temprature and pressure of water is not great.
I drain my tank heaters every 10 months.
So happy I didn't choose tankless. Neighbors complain the temprature and pressure of water is not great.
I drain my tank heaters every 10 months.
Posted on 1/23/24 at 2:54 pm to WB Davis
First tankless lasted 8 years. It was at this point I learned there should be some yearly maintenance. Installed another and plan to get more than 8 on this one.
Posted on 1/23/24 at 4:02 pm to WB Davis
15 years and still going strong.
Rheem
We do not have hard water.
Rheem
We do not have hard water.
Posted on 1/23/24 at 4:10 pm to Themicah86
quote:We descale with commercial tankless flush solution and change the inlet sediment filter (which catches a lot of powdery scale) every 6 months.
You really need to do the descale service.
Otherwise, with our hard water that Navien tankless water heater ceases to function.
A trustworthy local service contractor swears that with our extremely hard water, a big 4-1/2" x 10" sediment filter on the inlet protects a tankless water heater better than a salt-based water softener system.
Those sediment filter replacement filter cartridges last about 6 months and cost around $11 each on Amazon.
Posted on 1/23/24 at 4:19 pm to Turnblad85
quote:Most Navien repair parts are reasonably priced through dealers like SuppliesDepot.
I would hope a big company like Navien would stock parts for thier old units for many years.
Navien online documentation is outstanding, and they have an 800 tech support line, staffed by guys with Midwest accents, that homeowners and contractors can call 7 days a week.
Navien is like GE 20 years ago, before GE started to suck.
This post was edited on 1/23/24 at 4:34 pm
Posted on 1/23/24 at 4:47 pm to WB Davis
my tank water heater is 40 years old,,, seriously.
Posted on 1/23/24 at 5:04 pm to MikeBRLA
quote:
my tank water heater is 40 years old,,, seriously.
You hear stories like that occasionally. I wouldnt mess with it. If it ever goes and you have to replace it your new one wont be lasting 40 years lol.
Posted on 1/23/24 at 7:05 pm to WB Davis
Going on a little over 6 years, no issues yet
Posted on 1/23/24 at 10:51 pm to HeadyMurphey
25 here. Why mess with a good thing.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 11:02 am to Themicah86
quote:
You hear stories like that occasionally. I wouldnt mess with it. If it ever goes and you have to replace it your new one wont be lasting 40 years lol.
With proper maintenance (anode rod replacement and flushes) modern tank water heaters still last a really long time.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 1:50 pm to SloaneRanger
I have a 5 year old navien tankless and do the descale/servicing on it myself once a year. There’s a great video on YouTube that goes through the steps.
You’ll need a bucket, sump pump, washing machine hoses and a couple of gallons of vinegar. I did not do it the first couple years and when I dumped the vinegar and it dried on the ground there was a ton of scale. Ever since then I’ve done it yearly and there is not nearly as much.
Really pretty easy if you are at all handy.
You’ll need a bucket, sump pump, washing machine hoses and a couple of gallons of vinegar. I did not do it the first couple years and when I dumped the vinegar and it dried on the ground there was a ton of scale. Ever since then I’ve done it yearly and there is not nearly as much.
Really pretty easy if you are at all handy.
Posted on 1/24/24 at 3:12 pm to HBomb
quote:We use that $20 Rectorseal stuff for the flush. Never had much luck with cleaning vinegar.
I have a 5 year old navien tankless and do the descale/servicing on it myself once a year.
ETA: one contractor told us to flush with the unit on for about 20 minutes, then with it off for about 40 minutes. Another said to flush only with the unit off.
Anybody got an opinion on this?
This post was edited on 1/24/24 at 3:34 pm
Posted on 1/24/24 at 9:14 pm to WB Davis
I’ve only done it with the unit off.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News