djayz Posted October 6, 2019 Share Posted October 6, 2019 4 - 5 years ago when I moved into my wife's house, I had to replace the water heater in the shower as it had stopped heating. I replaced it with one from Panasonic and now that one isn't heating the water either. On average, how long are these heaters expected to last? I can't believe they're only good for a few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooked Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 I was wondering about buying a new heater until I decided to remove the shower head and clean it with Hydrochloric acid. (Vixol - in the same place as you find bleach in BigC). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h90 Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 check what is wrong.....sometimes the pressure switch dies, so it just doesn't turn on, or doesn't turn off (than some safety burns out), both can be repaired easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyecatcher Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 I have a Stiebel 6kw still going after 9 years. I have a second Stiebel 6kw currently on its 4th year. I have a crappy panasonic literally outside exposed to elements and it too be going 9 years. We bought a 2nd hand Mazuma just for hand wash, still going after 3 yrs And finally have a new mazuma 4kw running two years. Cant believe I have five. The only thing I have ever had to do is to clean the filter inside the old Stiebel about 6 yrs ago. So I think they are pretty resilient Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjo o tjim Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 With good water quality you should get 10-12 years. Bad water quality and no maintenance significantly less. Check the strainer on the input to the heater as well; anything that restricts the flow can cause issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sometimewoodworker Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Our Sharp shower heater is going on 10 years, so sw got another 2 for our new house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritManToo Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Bought two when my house was built 6 years back, one cheap, one medium, only the hoses have failed so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 On 10/7/2019 at 1:43 AM, djayz said: I had to replace the water heater in the shower as it had stopped heating. Bunged up with calcium. Flush with Vinegar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Oddly enough, having read this thread a couple of days ago, and thinking hmm, mine must be 12 years old at least, and still fine, it has now stopped working. The little green light on the front labelled ELB has stopped working , although the power is still getting to it as the circuit breaker test button - ELB - still works and resets. I'm reluctant to poke around - electricity isn't my thing (red to red and black to black, switch it on and stand well back) so unless any expert can suggest a solution it will be off to Sinthanee to buy another one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djayz Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 Based on some of the replies re life expectancy, I'm really confused as to why our Panaaonic won't heat after only 4-5 years service. As suggested, I'll flush with vinegar and/or Vixol next week, but fail to see how any calcium build up would prevent the machine from actually heating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billd766 Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 9 hours ago, JAG said: Oddly enough, having read this thread a couple of days ago, and thinking hmm, mine must be 12 years old at least, and still fine, it has now stopped working. The little green light on the front labelled ELB has stopped working , although the power is still getting to it as the circuit breaker test button - ELB - still works and resets. I'm reluctant to poke around - electricity isn't my thing (red to red and black to black, switch it on and stand well back) so unless any expert can suggest a solution it will be off to Sinthanee to buy another one! I have one about 12 years old with similar symptoms but it still works fine. My water pump died and I replaced it with a new cheapo one and it sort of worked. I bought a new set of hoses. The original pump came back from Somchai fixit (600 baht) and the difference in pressure was amazing. Now I have to turn the heat up higher or not turn the tap onto full bore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 10 hours ago, VocalNeal said: Bunged up with calcium. Flush with Vinegar. I'm not very clever at this sort of thing, could you explain how do do that please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sometimewoodworker Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 1 hour ago, JAG said: 11 hours ago, VocalNeal said: Bunged up with calcium. Flush with Vinegar. I'm not very clever at this sort of thing, could you explain how do do that please? Best way. First turn off the power, disconnect the shower head and check the flow rate(time filling a bucket) Disconnect take it off the wall, turn it upside down, fill with vinegar, wait several hours, reconnect the water hose in the reverse direction and flush, put the supply back onto the usual side and repeat the first flow check, if you didn't leave the vinegar in long enough, repeat. If the flow is good put it back on the wall and reconnect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 1 minute ago, sometimewoodworker said: Best way. First turn off the power, disconnect the shower head and check the flow rate(time filling a bucket) Disconnect take it off the wall, turn it upside down, fill with vinegar, wait several hours, reconnect the water hose in the reverse direction and flush, put the supply back onto the usual side and repeat the first flow check, if you didn't leave the vinegar in long enough, repeat. If the flow is good put it back on the wall and reconnect. Thank you very much. That will keep me busy at the weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djayz Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 33 minutes ago, JAG said: Thank you very much. That will keep me busy at the weekend! That makes two of us ???? How exciting! I can hardly wait!!! ???????????????????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djayz Posted October 28, 2019 Author Share Posted October 28, 2019 As I just so happens, the missus cleaned the filter and now we have hot water again! Amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beau thai Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 our shower heads get blocked with calcium but cleaning eacxh 'pore' with a toothpick works well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamalabob2 Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 The Panasonic Hot Water heater in Bangkok Korat Hospital worked fine. The sticker states installation in January 2005. The water in that hospital must be filtered. The electricity might be a more stable voltage than many homes in a village in Isaan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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