Water Heater Tuneup
 

Recently saw an ad in The Villages for a Water Heater Tuneup for a price around $250. Having had a water heater problem (Gas) recently, I found that the Plumber's first observation was the age of the water heater (17) years. From that point, it was why spend money on an old water heater , buy new. I repaired myself with TOTV guidance for $35.

What would you expect a Water Heater tune-up to tune up? Make your water heater more efficient? Can't happen. Perhaps drain the tank? Ok. Drain your wallet? Yep!

My guess is that this is a totally deceptive ad and would challenge any company who offers this service to give a legitimate reason why this would be of value.

Draining and replacing the anode rod? Checking flame ������. Or heater coil? (which highly doubtful they do the anode rod) at my house if the replace the anode rod they earned their money. Due to 18” off floor? They would have to disconnect and remove heater to get anode rod out due to about foot and half from ceiling.

Do you know if the new gas tankless heater need any maintenance? I have no idea, just asking. Like you, there is nothing to do to a water heater tank that you have to do.

Yes they do require regular maintenance!

For a tank heater they probably replace the sacrificial anode as well as draining it.

For a tankless WH it's flushed with vinegar when it is isolated from the water mains. This is a fifty to seventy-five dollar job or diy.

Yes they need to be flushed at least every 2 years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znuACzzav_Y

Diy
 

Just flush it once a year. 5 gallon bucket, 3 gallons of vinegar and a pump. It takes about 20 minutes or so. When it’s done it doesn’t hurt to run a bucket of clean water through it for a couple minutes while you still have your two isolation valves off.

You don't ever have to replace anode rod. If you knew what it's purpose was, it would make sense.

With a water softner in supply line , cleaning for tankless is not needed

I don't know much or really anything about water heaters. What I've been led to believe is that a lot of the issues with water heaters is a buildup from the impurities in the water. I had a two-tank water purification system put in my house a couple of years ago, when they installed it, they drained my water tank and told me the heater life would be extended. As I said I do not know anything about water heaters, but I do know that I was changing my water filter in my refrigerator every 6 months, and they are not cheap. I haven't had to replace one in years. I believe it might be worth the expense to see if this is an option, not only will you extend the life of the heater, but you'll get clean water.

water heater
 

replace the anode rod......clean burners with wire brush

Next your homeowners insurance will disqualify you for having a water heater older than ten years!

Have you checked your owner's manual? If you don't have a hardcopy even at 17 years old a manual should be online and not too hard to find. That should answer your questions about maintenance.

Thankless maintenance
 

They do "require" some kind of flushing and descaling service. I have heard they use some sort of vinegar mixture to descale the heat exchanger. They weren't around when I was in the business so I never did it myself. I would guess if you have a water softener system this would be needed less often.