If you’re going on vacation soon, you may be wondering what steps you should take to save energy while your home is vacant. For example, most homeowners turn their HVAC systems on at a lower or higher temperature, depending on the season, or turn them off entirely before leaving. Appliances can be unplugged, and lights can be turned off, but should you turn off your water heater when on vacation?
Turning Off Your Water Heater Does Not Provide Significant Energy Savings
For an average week-long vacation, turning off your water heater will not provide any significant energy savings. In fact, you’re likely only to see savings of a few cents a day depending on the make and model of your unit. Unless you’ll be vacating your home for a month or longer, turning off your water heater is unnecessary.
Shutting Off Your Water Heater Can Cause Problems
Turning your water heater off while on vacation could mean you'll come home to problems. The most obvious issue is that you won’t have any hot water. It could take up to an hour for any hot water to be available for those post-travel showers, and this is only if you’re able to turn your water heater back on. If you have an older unit, you may have some difficulty turning it back on after being shut off for several days. The stress of rebooting the system of an older unit could lead to water heater repairs or a full replacement.
Should You Turn Off Your Water Heater When Not in Use?
Instead of turning off your water heater before you head out, put it on “vacation” mode instead. If you don’t have a vacation setting on your unit, manually change the temperature to between 50 and 70 degrees. Although the energy savings will be minimal, you can still save a few pennies while ensuring your water heater will still be working properly when you return from your getaway.
If you are leaving for an extended vacation and will be draining and shutting off your water heater before you leave, be sure to consult your unit’s manual. Follow the instructions word for word when turning your unit back on to avoid any issues. If you’re having trouble getting your water heater back on, contact your local Aire Serv. Happy travels!
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Aire Serv is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact the Aire Serv location nearest you for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
FAQs About Turning Off Water Heaters
As an industry leader and a brand that is trusted by homeowners and businesses nationwide for our knowledge and experience, we’re happy to answer your HVAC questions. Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions about turning off your water heater.
Should you turn off your water heater when the water is off?
As a precautionary measure and to prevent damage and potential hazards, it's always best to turn off your water heater (both the heating element/gas supply and the water supply valve to the heater) if the main water supply to your house is shut off.
Here's why:
- Preventing damage: Water heaters are designed to heat water. If the tank is empty and the heating elements or gas burner continue to operate, they can overheat and burn out. This can cause significant and costly damage to the water heater itself, potentially requiring a complete replacement.
- Safety hazard: An overheated, empty water tank can create a dangerous situation due to the potential for extreme pressure buildup. While most water heaters have pressure relief valves, these may not function correctly without water in the tank, increasing the risk of rupture or even explosion.
If your water heater needs repair or maintenance, contact a professional.
Should you turn off the water when on vacation?
Yes, it is generally a good idea to turn off your water supply when you go on vacation, especially for extended periods. Before leaving, close your main water shut-off valve. Drain any residual water from the pipes by briefly turning on faucets after shutting off the main valve. For added protection, consider turning off individual shut-off valves for toilets and appliances.
The most significant risk of leaving your water on is the potential for leaks or burst pipes. Even a small leak can cause substantial damage over time, leading to costly repairs, mold growth, and damage to your belongings. A burst pipe while you're away can result in a flood, causing extensive damage that might not be fully covered by insurance.
Further, a hidden leak from a toilet, faucet, or appliance can waste a significant amount of water, leading to a surprisingly high water bill upon your return.
Should you turn off a water heater when on vacation?
For short trips, setting your water heater to "vacation mode" or simply lowering the temperature is generally recommended. For longer trips, turning off the water heater may save you a few cents on your energy, but be mindful of potential risks like bacterial growth in your unit. If you turn off the main water supply, always turn off the water heater as well.
How to turn the water heater off?
To turn off your water heater, follow these steps:
- Determine the type of water heater. Gas and electric water heaters are turned off differently.
- Turn off the breaker (electric heaters). Find the circuit breaker in your electrical panel labeled for the water heater and turn it off.
- Turn off the gas supply (gas heaters). Turn the gas control valve at the bottom of the unit to the "pilot" or "off" position.
- Locate the water inlet valve. Find the cold water inlet pipe leading into the top or side of the water heater. There will be a shut-off valve on this pipe, usually a handle or a lever. Turn it clockwise until fully closed.
- Drain a small amount of water (optional). To relieve pressure and ensure the heating elements aren't dry, carefully open the pressure relief valve or a drain valve at the bottom of the tank and let out a small amount of water. Be cautious as this water may be hot.
Should I consider turning off an electric water heater when not in use?
Electric water heaters are well-insulated and designed to maintain water temperature efficiently. Repeatedly turning the heater on and off can also potentially stress the heating elements, possibly shortening their lifespan.
However, for longer periods (several days or weeks), turning off the electric water heater to “vacation mode” can lead to energy savings.
What is water heater vacation mode vs. pilot mode?
"Vacation mode" on a water heater is a thermostat setting designed for energy conservation during periods of absence. It lowers the water temperature significantly (typically to around 50–60°F) to reduce energy consumption while still preventing the tank from freezing in cold climates. The pilot light on a gas water heater usually remains lit in vacation mode, ensuring easy restart upon your return.
The "pilot" setting on a gas water heater's control valve keeps only the small pilot flame lit. In this mode, the main burner doesn't ignite, and the water isn't heated. This setting is often used when lighting the pilot or as a very low-energy standby mode, but it might not offer the same freeze protection as vacation mode. Some older water heaters might only have "off," "pilot," and temperature settings, using "pilot" as the lowest heat setting for vacation.
Does turning off the water heater save money?
Estimates by the U.S. Department of Energy suggest that turning off a water heater for 8 to 10 hours daily might save 5% to 12% of your total bill to heat water, which translates to a modest $20 to $70 per year.
The amount you might save depends on several factors:
- Duration: The longer the water heater is off, the more significant the savings. For short periods (a few hours), the energy saved might be minimal and offset by the energy needed to reheat the tank.
- Type of water heater: Electric water heaters generally consume more energy than gas water heaters, so turning off an electric unit for extended periods could yield more savings.
- Standby heat loss: Even when not in use, a water heater loses heat to the surrounding environment, requiring it to reheat periodically. Turning it off eliminates this standby loss.
- Usage patterns: If you use a lot of hot water, the savings from turning off the heater for shorter durations will be less significant compared to a household with minimal hot water consumption.
