A new homeowner couldn't stop their tankless water heater from dripping, even after shutting off the power, gas, and cold-water supply. The unexpected leak occurred whenever hot water ran. With no clear explanation, the homeowner turned to Reddit for help.
Here's what to know
The leak came from an unidentified port on the tankless water heater that came with the house, as the homeowner described in a post on Reddit's r/hvacadvice community.
An initial inspection inside the unit had revealed no obvious leak, the homeowner said in response to a commenter's request to see behind the cover. "I checked inside already and nothing is leaking or wet as far as I can tell."
The image the homeowner later shared did not resolve the leak's source. They believed the component above the port was a condenser, but no technician in the discussion confirmed that identification.
Upgrading to a heat pump water heater can potentially lower energy bills. Still, the thread included no replacement estimate or household energy-use figures to determine how much this homeowner might save.
More background
The homeowner's follow-up raised another concern: The area where the water escaped appeared damaged. They could feel airflow in the area and noted an exhaust connection. They also described water dripping down a tube near the component they believed was the condenser.
No professional inspection findings in the discussion confirmed either the damage or who was responsible. The homeowner suspected that the previous owners had damaged the appliance.
What can be done?
Neither a response from the previous owners nor a completed repair appeared in the discussion. The homeowner said they intended to contact those owners to learn more about the apparent damage.
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If replacement becomes necessary, Cala offers smart heat pump water heaters as an option. Its customizable water heaters can help homeowners lower their energy bills by heating water exactly when needed. A Cala system is a potential replacement choice, not a diagnosis or repair for the leaking unit.
"Literally could be any number of things inside of it, from heat exchanger to condensate hose. Call a professional," one person wrote.
Where can I learn more?
Other homeowners have sought advice on water heater leaks, questionable tankless installations, and routine upkeep. These stories cover venting and condensate concerns, maintenance access, and flushing costs.
• After flushing a 15-year-old tankless heater, a homeowner discovered a pinhole leak near its heat exchanger.
• A plumber spotted a tankless vent shortcut, while Reddit commenters flagged a condensate issue.
• A homeowner questioned a tankless installation, and plumbers warned about limited access for flushing.
• Plumbers split over whether a $400 flush was worthwhile for a 10-year-old tankless heater.
• A homeowner considered using a bucket beneath a dripping gas heater; plumbers questioned the pipe material.
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