All brands · Tankless water heater troubleshooting

Water temperature fluctuates

What is going on

Hot water goes hot and cold during use or does not reach the set temperature.

Likely causes

  • Flow near the minimum activation flow
  • Scale build-up in the heat exchanger
  • Low or fluctuating gas pressure
  • Recirculation or crossover issue
  • Temperature set too low for the demand

Check in this order

  1. Check the set temperature and the flow rate at the fixture
  2. Clean the inlet filter and flush the heat exchanger if scale is suspected
  3. Measure gas pressure with several appliances running
  4. Check for plumbing crossover and recirculation settings
  5. Compare the demand with the unit's capacity at the incoming water temperature

Applies to: Tankless water heaters

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Source: General HVAC service practice — verify per model. Written in our own words; check the manual for your exact model.

For licensed technicians. Gas, electrical and refrigerant work must be done by a qualified, licensed person. Shut off power and gas before servicing, never bypass a safety control, and follow the manufacturer’s manual for the exact model; it and local codes always take priority. HVACopedia is not affiliated with any manufacturer; brand and model names only identify the equipment.