cleaning a tankless water heater

[flivver]

I've flushed my tankless heater every year since I got it (flushed with vinegar, for an hour).

This last time, I discovered that it has a filter (!), and that the filter *really* (!) needs to get cleaned.

While scouring videos for removing the filter, though, I happened upon a manufacturer site where they talk about the process of cleaning, and mention in passing that while the flush is happening, you should be cleaning the inside of the unit (i.e. open the cover, and clean what's in there). There were no instructions for that, though.

Anybody done this (the inside part)? Is it hard?

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

We've had tankless heaters for 12+ years in two houses. The vinegar is to remove mineral deposits for beter flow and heat transfer.
We learned about the filter only after it became clogged. That's only happened after new construction, or we didn't have a whole house filter on a well.
If the inside needs cleaning, it probably only needs light air pressure to remove any lint/spider webs. Ours always looked clean inside.

 

[Button Pusher]

Could be an inline filter ahead of the valve body.

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

It's an air filter?

Nope, water inlet filter, when it becomes clogged the flow is so low. When it gets real bad the heater doesn't stay on. Ours is gas and there needs to be a minimal gpm flow to flame on.

 

[flivver]

Yeah, inlet filter. It was so clogged that my attempts to pump vinegar through were hampered. I cleaned it, and then was able to flush with vinegar as always before.

I think it’s a Rinnai, but need to check. It’s under the house. I was thinking it would just be a blow-out for spider webs and the like, so it’s good to get confirmation.

So, no need to disassemble in unusual ways, and apply specialty knowledge and tools?



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