Installing a filter with a tankless water heater can not only improve the taste of your drinking and cooking water but also reduce sediment buildup in pipes and other plumbing fixtures. Fortunately, installing a filter on a tankless water heater is relatively easy.
Installing filters on a tankless water heater is relatively easy and cost-effective. The most common types of filters used for this purpose are sediment filters or carbon block filters, designed to reduce contaminants in your water. These can be installed directly onto the inlet side of the tankless unit or after any existing shutoff valves.
What Is A Tankless Water Heater?
A tankless water heater is a type of water heating system that does not use a large storage tank to hold and heat the water. Instead, it utilizes a heat exchanger coil or burner to quickly warm incoming cold water as it passes through the unit. This means that hot water is available anytime you need it! Additionally, these systems are more efficient than traditional tank water heaters, as they only warm the water when necessary instead of constantly keeping an ample supply hot.
Can You Put A Water Filter On A Tankless Water Heater?
Yes, but it’s essential to understand the limits of a tankless water heater before attempting any installation. Tankless heaters are smaller than traditional storage tanks and aren’t intended for filtering large quantities of water.
If you plan on installing a filter with your tankless heater, it should be specifically designed for use with a tankless unit. These filters are typically much smaller and designed to process fewer gallons per minute.
When installing a filter with your tankless heater, it’s vital to ensure the filter is rated for higher temperatures. Tankless water heaters operate at much higher temperatures than standard storage tanks, so you’ll need to find a filter that can safely handle the higher temperatures.
Tools And Parts Required For Installation
- One 3/4″ Stop & Waste Valve (Compression Type)
- PTFE Tape
- Two 3/4” Male x 3/4” Street Adapters
- One 3/4″ Compression Gate Valve
- Pipe Cutter
How To Install A Filter With A Tankless Water Heater?
Turn off the water supply: You need to turn off the water supply to ensure that no water will enter your home during installation. You can close the main shutoff valve or turn off the power from the breaker box.
Wrap the threaded ends of the adapters: Installing a filter on a tankless water heater is relatively simple. All you need to do is obtain two adapters that fit the openings of your tankless unit and the inlet port of the filter housing. The adapters should be threaded at both ends, so they can easily attach to both components.
Screw into both ends of the cartridge head: Screw the filter into the inlet adapter and tighten it with a wrench.
Fit compression fittings onto the cartridge head: Fit compression fittings onto the cartridge head. Compression fittings are used to connect two pieces of pipe or tubing securely and are available in various sizes depending on the type of piping used.
Mark for the length of the pipe to be removed: Once you have determined the size of the filter that needs to be installed, mark the length of the pipe that needs to be removed. The pipe should measure at least 6 inches long.
Cut the pipe: Cutting the pipe that runs from your water line to your tankless water heater.
Attach the stop and waste valve on a pipe: Attach the stop and waste valve onto the pipe that provides water to the tankless water heater. This is a small brass or plastic valve with two handles mounted on a T-shaped fitting.
Attach the gate valve to the incoming water supply pipe: Attach the gate valve to the incoming water supply pipe. The purpose of the gate valve is to regulate and control the amount of water that passes through it, preventing sudden surges or overloading.
Tighten all compression nuts: Tighten all compression nuts connecting your filter to the tankless water heater. To do this, use two adjustable wrenches and slowly tighten each nut until they are snug but not overly tight. This will ensure a good seal on your connections and help prevent leaks.
Screw the cartridge to the correct filter head: Take the filter cartridge and screw it onto it. Turn it clockwise to secure it, ensuring you don’t cross-thread or over-tighten the connection.
Please turn on the main water supply: Before installing your new filter for the tankless water heater, it is essential to ensure the main water supply is turned on. The main valve should be switched to an open position and checked with a gauge if necessary.
Open valves and check for leaks: Once the filter is mounted, open the valves on both sides and check for any leaks. If there are no leaks, connect the water flow lines to and from the heater.
Why Add Filters To Your Tankless Water Heater?
Adding filters to your tankless water heater is essential to maintaining your system’s quality and performance. The filters help remove sediment, dirt, and rust from your home’s water supply which can reduce clogs in your pipes, help prevent damage to tankless components, and improve the taste of your hot water.
How Do Tankless Water Heater Filters Work?
Phosphate filters: Tankless water heaters with phosphate filters work by reducing the amount of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals in water flow from complex water sources. These filters are usually installed on the cold-water side of the tankless system. Phosphates coat these minerals, so they separate and don’t build up in pipes and fixtures.
TAC (Template-Assisted Crystallization): TAC is a water-softening process involving filters with tankless water heaters. This filter reduces hardness and mineral buildup in your home’s hot water supply, resulting in fresher-tasting water for cooking and cleaning.
Water softeners: Water softeners are a type of filter that can be installed with tankless water heaters to remove hard minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, from the water supply. This helps to reduce scale buildup in the system over time, improving its efficiency and lifespan.
Sediment filters: Sediment filters are commonly used with tankless water heaters to remove dirt, sand, and other unwanted particles from your home’s water supply.
How To Clean Your Tankless Water Heater Filter?
Step One: Turn Off The Power To Your Tankless Heater: Before you begin any filter maintenance, it is essential to power off your tankless heater.
Step Two: Remove The Lower Panel And Shut Off The Cold Water Going In: Remove the lower panel of the tankless water heater by unscrewing it and turning off the cold water going into the unit. This will ensure that no additional water enters while you are performing maintenance. Before proceeding, you should also check to ensure that all pipes are connected correctly.
Step Three: Close The Hot Water Valve And Flush Out Any Water Remaining In The System: Close the hot water valve and flush out any remaining water in the system. This can be done by closing the cold water input valve, opening a hot water faucet, and allowing all the remaining water in the system to pass through.
Step Four: Remove The Filter: Carefully remove the filter from its housing. A standard filter wrench should be used to unscrew it – make sure you turn it clockwise to loosen and anti-clockwise to tighten.
Step Five: Remove Debris From The Filter: Remove the debris from the filter by unscrewing the filter housing and turning it upside down. Shake out any debris that may have accumulated. Reattach the housing once all of the debris has been removed.
Step Six: Reinstall The Filter: Once the filter is cleaned, you can reinstall it in the tankless water heater. Start by unscrewing the filter cover and removing any debris that may have gathered in the area around the filter. Then carefully insert the filter into place, ensuring it’s properly aligned with all its components. Securely tighten down the filter cover, and your installation is complete.
FAQs
How much does a tankless water filter heater cost?
The cost of a tankless water filter heater varies depending on size, brand, and features. Generally, an entry-level gas model can be purchased for around $500, while an electric one may range from $600 to $1,000.
How often do you change the cartridge?
Changing your filter cartridge every six months is recommended, although this may vary depending on the unit and how much water you use.
Should I install it before are after the water tank?
In general, you should install the filter before the tankless water heater. This is because it filters out mineral deposits and other contaminants that could damage or clog your tankless water heater over time.
Can it be used sideways rather than up and down installation?
Yes, a filter can be installed sideways with a tankless water heater. Some models may need additional components, such as an adapter, to fit the connection properly.
Should I need to install a chlorine filter in front of it?
Yes, you should install a chlorine filter in front of your tankless water heater. A chlorine filter will help to remove any sediment, dirt, and other impurities from the incoming water before it reaches the tankless water heater.
What is the average life of each cartridge?
The average life of each filter cartridge with a tankless water heater is approximately six months. However, the actual lifespan of your filter cartridge will depend on several factors, such as how hard your water is and the amount of sediment in it.
What is the GPM of the filter?
The filter’s GPM, or gallons per minute, is important to consider when installing it with a tankless water heater. The higher the GPM rating, the faster your heater can process water through the filter.
Where is the filter in the tankless water filter?
The filter is typically installed between the water heater and the outlet so that all the water that passes through the system will be filtered.
Do tankless water filters have air filters?
Yes, many tankless water heaters come with an air filter to remove particulates from the incoming air. This helps ensure your tankless water heater runs more efficiently and effectively.
Conclusion
Installing a filter with a tankless water heater is an easy way to keep your water supply clean and healthy. It requires minimal tools and labor. Make sure to read all instructions carefully before beginning and take note of any potential safety hazards. If you’re unsure about any part of the process, seek professional help to ensure it’s done correctly. Your tankless water heater can provide clean, safe water for years with proper installation and maintenance.
Meet Jeffrey B Roberts, your dedicated guide into the realm of water science and technology. As a hydro biologist with an insatiable curiosity, Jeffrey’s journey has been one of unraveling the mysteries of water systems and advocating for clean, safe water for all.
With an academic background steeped in the sciences, Jeffrey’s passion lies at the crossroads of science, technology, and nature. A deep fascination with plants and genetics has not only enriched their understanding of aquatic ecosystems but has also propelled them into the world of water softening solutions.
Believing that clean water is a basic human right, Jeffrey’s writing transcends the technicalities, making the intricate world of water softening accessible to all. Through their blog, they ardently share insights, tips, and breakthroughs, empowering readers to make informed decisions about their water quality.
Beyond his role as a prolific writer, Jeffrey is a respected figure in the hydronics industry education. With years of hands-on experience, they serve as an adjunct professor, nurturing the next generation of experts at the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. His involvement on the Technical Advisory Board further cements their dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation in water technology.