{"id":871,"date":"2023-12-18T20:45:29","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T20:45:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.www.unitedairtemp.com\/jacksonville-fl-area\/?p=871"},"modified":"2023-12-19T15:02:02","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T15:02:02","slug":"does-living-on-the-florida-coast-affect-tankless-water-heaters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unitedairtemp.com\/jacksonville-fl-area\/blog\/does-living-on-the-florida-coast-affect-tankless-water-heaters\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Living on the Florida Coast Affect Tankless Water Heaters?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Wall-mounted<\/p>\r\n

Tankless water heaters are less prone to corrosion than traditional water heaters with a storage tank, but it can still happen, and living on the Florida coast can make it more likely.<\/p>\r\n

The warm, humid, and salty air can deteriorate\u00a0metal components on\u00a0your water heater<\/a> and other parts of your\u00a0plumbing<\/a>, such as your pipes. However, you can take action to lessen the risk.<\/p>\r\n

How Salt Water Causes Oxidation<\/h2>\r\n

Corrosion occurs as metal is broken down by chemical\u00a0processes, such as oxidation, in which the metal is exposed to oxygen in the air, forming corrosion on steel, copper, and other metals.<\/p>\r\n

The presence of moisture and salt in the\u00a0air of\u00a0coastal areas only intensifies the process by introducing sodium ions that allow electrons to move freely. This accelerates the corrosion process, as do the high temperatures typical of Florida weather.<\/p>\r\n

Can Tankless Water Heaters Rust?<\/h2>\r\n

Tankless water heaters<\/a> can rust, though not quite as easily as those that have steel storage tanks. If not properly serviced and maintained, water can leak onto the burners of a tankless water heater, causing corrosion. As more rust builds up and starts flaking off, it can interfere with how well heat is transferred into the water.<\/p>\r\n

Not only can this increase your utility bills, but it can affect how well the water heater works, causing inconsistent water temperature and flow. Corrosion can also eat away at the heat exchanger, leading to leaks. Tankless water heaters that are mounted outside and exposed to the salt air constantly are significantly more vulnerable to corrosion.<\/p>\r\n

Signs Your Water Heater Is Corroded<\/h2>\r\n

If your water heater has started to corrode, it may not be obvious from the outside. You will have to look for more subtle signs of damage, such as:<\/p>\r\n