When a College Park tankless water heater stops producing hot water, a few safe checks can narrow the cause before a plumber arrives, and many problems trace back to scale, an inlet filter or a venting fault. Repairs to gas parts and any replacement are WSSC Water matters in Prince George's County. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in College Park.
College Park homes and tankless heaters
College Park mixes early 20th-century houses in Calvert Hills and Old Town with mid-century neighborhoods and newer apartments near the University of Maryland; the median home dates to about 1979. Water comes from WSSC Water, and gas service in most of the city is Washington Gas. Parts of Lakeland have a history of flooding, which is one reason a wall-mounted tankless unit, kept off a basement floor, appeals to some owners. Older houses near the campus may also have tight basements and original gas piping, so a repair visit sometimes turns into a conversation about the vent and pipe size as well.
What to do now
- Read the display. Write down any error code; it tells the plumber where to start.
- Check power. Gas units still need electricity. Look for a tripped breaker or a tripped outlet.
- Check the gas. If the stove also won't light, the problem may be the supply. If you smell gas, skip every other step: leave the house, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1, from outside.
- Try one faucet. Run a single hot tap at full flow. Very low flow may not trigger the burner.
- Look at the vent. Make sure the outside termination isn't blocked by leaves, snow or a nest.
- Leave the cover on. Don't open the unit or touch the gas valve; WSSC Water allows only registered gasfitters to do gas work.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Hot, then cold, then hot again | Flow dropping below the ignition minimum, or scale in the heat exchanger |
| Hot water fades when two showers run | Unit undersized for winter inlet temperatures |
| Ignition or flame error | Gas supply, igniter or a pipe too small for the burner |
| Venting or fan error | Blocked termination or a failing fan |
| Flow slowly getting weaker | Clogged inlet screen or mineral buildup |
Cost factors
- Whether the fix is a flush and a cleaned filter or a replacement part such as a fan or igniter
- Access to the unit, especially in finished basements or tight closets in older homes
- Whether the gas pipe or vent needs correcting, which brings in a WSSC Water permit
- For full replacement, the permit Prince George's County requires for water heater swaps
Tankless Water Heaters questions in College Park
Should I repair or replace a tankless unit that keeps showing error codes?
How often should a tankless heater be flushed?
What causes a burst of cold water partway through a shower?
Where does the vent go when the heater sits in a basement?
More plumbing services in College Park
Tankless Water Heaters nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: