When you go on vacation, it's best to also turn off your water heater, as well as the main water supply. Turning off the source of the heat (gas, electric) while you're away will not damage your water heater.
If you have an electric water heater, it is recommended that you shut off the power and the cold water supply to the water heater if you are going away for any length of time. You will save electricity and limit any damage in case the tank leaks. Upon your return, do a visual inspection of the water heater.
For electric water heaters, turn off the power to the machine in your breaker box. When you return, simply restore the connections and relight the pilot light if you have a gas water heater. If you choose this option, be mindful of the time of year you're traveling.
WAPT spoke to four plumbing companies that all said that homeowners should turn off the water heater if the water is not running for more than 24 hours.
If you're away during warmer months, placing the water heater in vacation mode is unnecessary, and the heater can just be powered off. This goes for both gas and electric water heaters. For gas, twist the thermostat dial to the OFF position. For electric models, turn off the water heater at the circuit breaker.
In most cases, it may not be necessary to turn off the water heater, but it also won't hurt, either. However, there are two reasons when you should turn off the unit to prevent too much pressure or heat from building up inside the tank: The tank is empty (or close to it) and won't be refilled for a long period of time.
For Gas Water Heaters: Turn the knob on top of the thermostat clockwise to the off position. The thermostat is located near the bottom of the water heater. For Electric Water Heaters: Go to your circuit breaker panel, find the breaker for your water heater, and switch it to the off position.
You can turn off your water heater when it is done safely, but only do this when you have a problem or if the tank won't be heated anytime soon. Turning off your water heater to save on energy bills is not usually recommended.
In the average home, the water heater will run for about three hours each day. Total run time can range from one to two hours for new tankless water heaters to five or more hours for older tank style water heaters.
Your gas water heater will turn off if it isn't getting the fuel it needs. There are a few different problems that can prevent your heater from getting enough gas. Although these problems are most often caused by a faulty gas valve or a leak. A leak is an emergency that needs professional attention immediately.
Locate the plumbing line, usually near or at the top of the water heater. Turn the valve off, and you will have successfully turned off the water supply.
Do not turn the power on to the water heater until all air is gone from the hot side and only water flows from the hot side. If you are not draining the tank I would still do this to ensure there's no air in the line. As long as the water heater elements are covered with water inside the tank, they won't be damaged.
Vacation mode is a setting on your water heater system that allows you to run your boiler at lower temperatures than normal, saving energy. Typically, manufacturers set vacation mode to 50° F—well below the warmth you need to heat your home, but hot enough to prevent any water from freezing while you're away.
Over time, sediment can build up in the bottom of the tank and cause the unit to overheat. This can shorten the lifespan of the unit and lead to expensive repairs. To avoid this, it's important to flush the tank regularly. Most manufacturers recommend flushing the tank once a year.
Once you shut off the cold-water flow into the home, the only water that remains is the small amount that was already in the pipes. In the case of flooding, that water will empty quickly. If the problem is less threatening, you can speed the drainage process by running a faucet until the flow stops.
Continuing to run your water heater when the tank isn't full could cause heat damage to the internal components. The other time you should always turn off a water heater is if it starts leaking.
In most instances, the answer to our last question is no. If your water heater is constantly running, there is probably a problem. Here are a few potential problems your home or business could be having and a few steps you could take before calling for professional plumbing services in Denver.
If you're going on an extended vacation over the winter, or the power goes out, you'll want to drain your hot water heater, just to make sure it doesn't freeze, and ruin your tank. In order to drain it, turn off the gas and electric supplies, and shut off the cold water supply.
Unplug electronics.
When planning a vacation, always unplug all computers, televisions and any other accessory you don't plan to use. This will not only help reduce energy consumption, but also protect your precious items in case of an electrical storm.
Keeping the air circulating in your home while away will help the system do an important part of its job — that is, keeping the humidity down inside. Moisture holds heat, which will make your system work harder to cool down the home upon your return.
Summer Weather and Water Heater Temperatures
The short answer is no. In fact, the warmer seasons are often the time to turn down your water heater temperature following any cold-weather increases. If you find that you do not have sufficient hot water in the warmer months, this is often a sign of trouble with your unit.
The short answer is yes, as long as you don't mind using cold water. Shutting off the input to your water heater will not affect your home's main water supply. You can still run appliances like your washing machine or dishwasher, flush your toilet, and use your shower, sink, or garden hose.