Fall Tune-Up Tips

Fall Tune-Up Tips

If you have a gas on demand water heater it is important that you flush the heater once a year with a descaling agent, (some people use white vinegar) and also clean the filter screen.

All you need to do is:

  1.  Turn off the gas and the power to your water heater.
  2.  Remove the heat source supply and return hoses from the HUG hydronics system.
  3.  Remove the heat source pump (#10) from the HUG system but leave it plugged in.
  4. After removing hoses and the pump reinstall the pump onto its hose and put both the pump and the return in a bucket. 
  5. Pour a gallon or two of the descaling agent of your choice into the bucket.
  6. Turn the HUG system on and put the heat source pump either on high or purge.
  7. Let the pump run, flushing the heater for 45 min - 1 hr. (Note you may have to plug the heater in to let the water flow through it but leave the gas off for now).
  8. Turn off the pump and dispose of the descaling agent appropriately.
  9. Now fill the same bucket with fresh clean water and flush the heater again. Do this step twice with good clean water.
  10. Turn the pump off and clean the filter screen on the bottom of the water heater as described in the water heater manual.
  11. Reinstall the pump and hoses back into the HUG hydronics system and make sure any jumpers that were moved are back in their original position.
  12. Now make the HUG system call for heat to purge anything that may have air in it. Then turn the gas for the water heater on, plug it in and make sure it is functioning properly.

Whether you have a gas or electric heater now is a great time to check the pH of the fluid in your system and adjust as needed. Aiming for a pH of between 9 and 10.


If you have an electric water heater, all you need to do is;


  1. Turn off the power to your heater.
  2. Turn your HUG hydronics system on and purge the heat source to make sure the water heater is full of water.
  3. Put the jumper that you used to purge the heater back where it was originally.
  4. Power up your heater and set the thermostat to the desired temperature.

Leave a comment