Westinghouse maintenance varies by product family. Stainless storage tanks need minimal maintenance (no anode rod). Tankless and heat pump have specific tasks.
Stainless storage tanks (WER electric, WGR / WGRPV gas)
- Semi-annual T&P test: lift lever, verify discharge stops cleanly
- Annual visual inspection: fittings, drain pan, electrical/gas connections
- Annual flush in hard water; every 2-3 years in soft water
- Element resistance test at year 5-7 (electric)
- Burner inspection annually (gas) — remove burner cover, vacuum dust
- Verify pilot flame (atmospheric gas) — steady blue with yellow tip
- Brass drain valve upgrade recommended after first flush (replaces plastic OEM)
- NO anode rod inspection — stainless doesn\'t need anode
Gas Tankless (WGRGH) — annual descaling required
Critical for warranty: gas tankless requires annual descaling. Skipping it voids the heat exchanger warranty.
- Annual descaling with vinegar or commercial descaler (CLR, Rydlyme)
- Service ports/shutoffs installed with the unit make this easier
- Procedure: isolate inlet/outlet, circulate descaler 30-60 minutes, flush, restore
- Inlet water filter — clean every 6 months
- Venturi / blower — annual visual inspection
- Condensate trap — verify drainage, clean if needed
- Hard water (>7 gpg): install water softener — required per Westinghouse warranty terms
Electric Tankless (WET) maintenance
- Inlet filter cleaning — annual minimum; every 6 months in sediment-heavy water
- Annual descaling in hard water (similar procedure to gas tankless)
- Visual inspection of electrical connections (high amperage continuous draw)
- Verify breaker tightness annually — thermal cycling loosens high-amperage connections
- Element resistance test every 3-5 years
Heat Pump (WH50HP / WH80HP) maintenance
- Monthly: vacuum air filter
- Quarterly: wipe condensate pan; verify drain flow
- Annually: coil cleaning with foaming HVAC coil cleaner; mode review
- Annual flush in hard water
- NO anode rod — stainless inner tank
Hard water management
| Hardness | Storage tank | Tankless |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 gpg (soft) | Flush every 2-3 years | Descale every 3-4 years |
| 5-10 gpg (moderate) | Flush every 1-2 years | Descale every 2 years |
| 10+ gpg (hard) | Flush annually | Descale annually OR install softener |
| 15+ gpg (very hard) | Flush annually + softener | Softener required for warranty |
What Westinghouse stainless storage doesn\'t need
- No anode rod replacement at year 4-5
- No anode rod inspection
- No magnesium-to-aluminum anode switch for sulfur smell
- No powered anode upgrade
Stainless tank construction eliminates all anode-related maintenance — same as Marathon composite tank.
Bottom line
Stainless storage tanks are nearly maintenance-free aside from T&P test and occasional flush. Tankless requires annual descaling for warranty compliance. Heat pump needs monthly filter and quarterly condensate checks. Hard water mandates softener on tankless.