How Hard Water Affects Your Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters are known for their energy efficiency, space-saving design and long lifespan. But in San Diego, where hard water is a common concern, these high-performing systems can face serious setbacks without proper protection. At Verday Smart Solutions, we specialize in helping local homeowners protect their water heater systems — including tankless units — from mineral-related damage.

As a trusted provider of specialized plumbing services in San Diego, you can trust our local plumbers to ensure your hot water equipment functions without a hitch. In this blog, we’ll explore the connection between hard water and tankless water heaters. Our specialists will also share what you can do to avoid costly repairs.

How San Diego Hard Water Impacts Plumbing Appliances

Hard water retains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. While not directly harmful to health, these minerals leave behind a chalky residue that builds up inside plumbing and appliances.

San Diego water averages around 16 grains per gallon (gpg) — deeming it “very hard” by the U.S. Department of Energy. This makes water treatment a smart investment for local homeowners, especially when it comes to sensitive, high-efficiency equipment like tankless water heaters.

Hard Water And Tankless Water Heaters: What’s The Risk?

A tankless water heater with hard water faces multiple risks that can shorten its lifespan and reduce its efficiency.

Mineral Buildup Inside The Heat Exchanger

Tankless systems heat water directly through a compact coil or heat exchanger. Hard water causes scale to form on this internal surface. The buildup can reduce heat transfer and force the system to work harder. Over time, this leads to:

• Slower hot water delivery
• Higher energy bills
• Error codes or system shutdowns
• Premature water heater failure
• Restricted Water Flow

As scale builds up in the pipes and components, the water flow can become restricted. This backup affects performance and creates an inconsistent hot water supply, which can be especially frustrating in busy households.

Increased Maintenance Needs

Tankless systems affected by hard water often require more frequent maintenance to stay functional. Homeowners may find themselves needing regular descaling services or flushing routines to remove mineral buildup and prevent performance issues.

Over time, these extra service calls add up, increasing the total cost of ownership and cutting into the system’s expected efficiency.

Signs Your Tankless Water Heater Is Affected By Hard Water

Not sure if your system is being affected? Watch for these signs:

• Reduced water pressure at water faucet taps
• Fluctuating water temperatures
• Popping or sizzling noises inside the unit
• Frequent maintenance or error messages

If you’ve experienced any of these, your tankless system may already be battling mineral buildup. Luckily, there’s still time to protect it when you contact a San Diego plumber from Verday for prompt assistance.

How Verday Smart Solutions Can Help

As San Diego’s trusted water treatment specialists, Verday Smart Solutions offers targeted solutions to preserve and enhance your tankless water heater’s performance.

Free Water Tests

Are you unsure of how hard your home’s water is? Verday provides free water tests to help you determine your water score! Our tests are comprehensive and accurate, identifying impurities and water hardness levels from your individual supply.

Kinetico Water Softeners

Kinetico water-softening systems reduce the number of calcium and magnesium ions before they reach your heater. This reduction prevents intense scale buildup on the system’s internal components. With non-electric operation and on-demand regeneration, they’re efficient, reliable and well-suited for homes with tankless systems.

Salt Monitors

In addition to water softening, we provide salt monitor systems to help you determine when it’s time to refill salt levels. Your softener relies on salt for the ion exchange process. Investing in a monitor can make the refilling process easier and help you stay on track with the system’s maintenance schedule.

Extend The Life Of Your Tankless Water Heater

Don’t let hard water undo the benefits of your investment. Whether you’re installing a new system or trying to get more life from your current one, Verday Smart Solutions is here to help.

Protect your home’s comfort and efficiency. Contact us today to learn how our Kinetico water-softening systems can safeguard your tankless water heater from San Diego’s hard water.