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We have a Rinnai tankless water heater in the basement. Our housemate has a bathroom in the basement. About once a week, the water turns cold during her showers or when she uses the sink. We have no problems at all upstairs, not even filling the bathtub. She recently told us the low water pressure light comes on on the water heater whenever this happens. I don't understand- if the flow is too slow then it should just not come on at all.

I just changed her shower head from 2.5gpm to 1.5gpm and tightened the valve for hot water to the sink a bit. I'm hoping this takes care of it but I'm also hoping to understand better.

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I know this sounds like a long shot but I'd suggest looking into your PRV, it may be going out.

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Thanks! Any advice for how to check it? – davidkovsky May 16 '12 at 2:54
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There are a few signs of a failing PRV. Noisy pipes, although this is a bit ambiguous as other things cause noisy pipes as well. Drop or spike in water pressure. Also when you put a water pressure gauge on a hose spigot, check if the needle steadily reaches a psi reading (healthy sign) or seems to wobble as it climes the readings (it may be going out). – used2could May 16 '12 at 14:02
Thanks. I'll keep that in mind. The lower flow shower head seems to be working so far but it's too soon to say for sure. I haven't noticed any of the obvious signs you mentioned. – davidkovsky May 17 '12 at 14:42

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