(This may go with the “Screaming Heat Pump” thread)
Any plumbers out there know what would cause a tankless water heater to make a shrill (like a burglar alarm or something) sound every time any faucet in the house is turned on?
Working installing a doggie door in a wall yesterday and kept hearing this HORRIBLE piercing sound off and on, thought someone was fooling around with an electronic amplifier or something.
The owners said they’d had this tankless installed a couple of years ago and it just started making this noise. They’re very nice people, I felt bad for them.
Thanks, Jen
“Insanity is trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results” “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds” A. Einstein
Replies
One option might be there is a blockage and the water is cavitating as it passes the debris. Could also be a valve that is only partially open causing the cavitation.
Bruce
We do have hard water in the area. I wonder if 2 years would be time enough to accumulate mineral deposits? I'll mention this to them.The units must have some kind of filter (being as they're about $1,000!)Thanks
The units need to be serviced periodically depending on the hardness of the water-once every six months to a year. Frankly that is why I am not an advocate of tankless water heaters in my area due to the fact our water is very hard.
I spoke with buidling inspector recently and he had three jobs where they were taking out tankless water heaters that were installed in the last three years due to constant lime buildup.
I think they are good systems where hard water is not an issue-not so good when hard water is present.
just my $0.02.
Bruce
I'll pass on the info...
Thanks again!
If it has a draft inducer it could be the bearings.I would try running water with the unit unplugged and see if it makes the noise. If not then it is not a water flow problem..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Thanks Bill...I thought the neighbor's alarm system was malfunctioning because it was a piercing "electronic" sound but then I followed the sound to Grant and Trish's garage.It seems like tankless is a trend that more people will be talking about, so this is a good education for me.Thanks again!
Right, a fan can "growl" (due to worn bearings) and make a horrible (and loud) noise. Turn it off and back on and it may be perfectly silent, but the growl will eventually return.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
There is a flow detector in the heater that could be the culprit.
Make a noise locator device.
Simply a length of metal rod, about 12" long, one end of which you touch to the place where you suspect the noise is coming from, and the other end you touch to near your ear. (Not IN your ear.)
You can more easily judge the origin of noises this way. It's an old mechanic's trick to help them locate faulty bearings, etc.
That's a good trick to know...My son has a stethoscope he uses to listen to his engine.This sound is so obnoxious that I don't think you'd want to get it any closer to your ear!Thanks