Should You Turn Off Your Water Heater When on Vacation?
Previous PostNext PostIf you’re planning a trip in the near future, you may be wondering what actions you should take to save energy while your home is unoccupied. Here are some suggestions. For example, most homeowners adjust the temperature of their HVAC systems to a lower or higher setting depending on the season, or they turn them off completely before leaving the house. Appliances can be unplugged and lights may be turned off while on vacation, but should you turn off your water heater while away from home?
Turning Off Your Water Heater Does Not Provide Significant Energy Savings
Turning off your water heater for a typical week-long trip will not result in any major energy savings, according to the EPA. As a matter of fact, depending on the type and model of your unit, you’re likely to experience savings of only a few cents each day at most. Turning off your water heater isn’t required unless you’re planning to be away from home for a month or more.
Shutting Off Your Water Heater Can Cause Problems
If you leave your water heater turned off while on vacation, you may find yourself with water heater troubles when you return. The most obvious problem is that you won’t have access to hot water during your stay. For those post-travel showers, it might take up to an hour for any hot water to become accessible, and that’s only if you’re able to turn your water heater back on again. Depending on how old your unit is, you may have some trouble turning it back on after it has been turned off for a period of many days.
Should You Turn Off Your Water Heater When Not in Use?
As an alternative to shutting off your water heater before you leave, set it to “vacation” mode before you go. If your unit does not have a vacation setting, you can manually adjust the temperature to anywhere between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. You may still save a few dollars while guaranteeing that your water heater is still operational when you return from your vacation, despite the fact that the energy savings will be minor. If you are going on a lengthy vacation and will be emptying and turning off your water heater before you go, be sure to read the instructions that came with your water heater before you depart.
You can reach your local Aire Servat at (855) 259 if you’re experiencing problems getting your water heater to turn on.
Pete the Plumber – Calgary Plumber
Would it be a good idea to turn off the water when going on vacation at my home?
Should I Turn Off The Water When I Go On Vacation?
You go away for a few weeks and enjoy a nice, quiet vacation. When you come home, you are rejuvenated and ready to face the challenges of the world once more. Except for the fact that you open the front door and inhale that stench. The entire place was covered in mold and had water damage on the flooring, ceilings, and furnishings.
While you were away, your house almost completely flooded. “Why didn’t we turn off the water?” you wonder aloud to one another. That’s a good question. Yes, you should switch off your water when you go on vacation, and we’ll explain why in this article.
Why is it important to turn off the water?
If you’ve ever experienced a flooded house, you’ll never be able to enjoy another vacation again until you remember to turn off the water at the mains the next time you leave home. In fact, it’s critical for everyone to do this even if they’re only going away for a few hours. Why? There are a plethora of compelling arguments. Here are three of the most significant:
1. Potentially massive damage
Let’s keep it short and sweet: nothing wreaks havoc on a home quite like water or fire, and nothing is more destructive than either. A variety of factors can cause water damage, including frozen pipes, leaking supply lines, dripping hot water heaters, and other issues. Turning off the water before you go on vacation will significantly limit the amount of damage that occurs.
2. Potentially massive costs
Even if you have comprehensive insurance, I can promise that you will be out of cash until everything has been dried out, cleaned, and, if required, replaced (highly likely). Without even mentioning the total electrical rewiring that is frequently required to finish the job. You will never be able to recoup all of your expenses. Many insurers are in the mode of “cost reduction,” as you will see. It might take weeks or months before you see any money, and the amount you receive may be less than you anticipated.
The majority of residential insurance plans are written on the assumption that the home is being cared for on a daily basis.
3. The potential massive stress and inconvenience
It’s possible that you’ll have to locate temporary housing while you wait for the insurance decision and the check to arrive. This just serves to increase the inconvenience. Then there’s the emotional strain of witnessing family treasures, valued items, and memories all perish in the floodwaters. The thought of going through this is one that no family wants to go through. Believe me when I say that I’ve witnessed this happen more than once. The idea of turning off your water while you’re going away for any period of time should be avoided at all costs, given Calgary’s famously erratic weather.
It has the potential to save you a significant amount of money, time, worry, and trouble.
Should I turn off the water when on vacation in winter?
Yes! Although it is true that plumbing difficulties can develop in either good or bad weather, it is arguably the most critical time to do so. Throughout the year, you should be on the lookout for danger and take measures. Having saying that, many Albertans like escaping the subzero conditions that may be found in these regions throughout the winter. They will be in the southern hemisphere for a few weeks. However, while the cat is away, the ice may be allowed to play! Plunging temperatures may wreak havoc on your water pipes, forcing them to freeze and break, inflicting widespread destruction throughout your house.
Water travels through your pipes under pressure, so it doesn’t take long for a little problem to become a major one.
How to turn off the water to the house
That said, the good news is that remembering to turn off the water in your home is the most difficult element of the process. Make a note of it on your calendar. First and foremost, find the main water supply valve in your residence. In any event, you should be aware of where this is in case of a plumbing issue, just in case. To open and close the valve, it should be controlled by a wheel control or a lever handle. It is entirely safe to switch it off by either spinning the wheel in the clockwise direction or shutting the lever in the opposite direction.
Once you’re confident that everything is working properly, you may turn off the water immediately before you leave for your vacation.
A discontinuous flow throughout your absence is more preferable to a sporadic flow when you are present.
Does shutting off the water affect the water heater?
When you go on vacation, it’s a good idea to switch off your water heater as well as the main water supply to avoid any problems. The fact that you turned off the heat source (gas or electric) while you were away will not harm your water heater in any way.
Any other recommended steps while on vacation?
For the best possible vacation experience, it is recommended that you invite a friend or family member to visit your house every couple of days to make sure everything is running smoothly while you are away. Not only will this assist to avoid any plumbing problems, but it will also help to save money. It would also give the impression that someone is in the house, which will deter criminals from breaking in. Other preparations you might want to do before leaving on vacation include having your plumber do the following:
- Winter months are a good time to drain water from the pipes to avoid the water freezing and breaking the pipes
- Inspect the supply lines to the appliances and replace any that are broken. Make sure there isn’t a pile of leaves and debris in the gutters.
Don’t leave home without turning off the water
Nobody anticipates their home being flooded. Disasters, on the other hand, may and do occur – and when you’re away from home, you have no means of preventing or mitigating the harm. So, do yourself a favor and read this. If you’re going to be gone from home for more than 24 hours, make sure you turn off the main water supply to your house beforehand. Yes, this includes weekends and holidays. It is the most effective method of preventing severe water damage in the case of a plumbing breakdown.
Should I Turn Off My Water Heater When I Go on Vacation?
What should I do if I am going on vacation and forget to turn off my water heater?
Preparation for any trip, whether it’s for two days or twelve, requires careful consideration of a number of factors. If you’re anything like the majority of us, you undoubtedly have a to-do list handy. It could resemble something like this in some ways:
- Prepare your belongings
- Arrange for a pet sitter
- Adjust the heat
- Kevin should not be forgotten. Bring your boarding cards, a cell phone charger, and other necessary items. Bring a book for when you’re out on the plains. Turn off all of the lights in the room. However, leave the porch light turned on. Kevin must not be forgotten this time, promise me that! Set the timer for the sprinklers
- Bring an extra pair of underpants in case anything unexpected happens. Inform your neighbors of your intended destination. Place the washing in the hamper
- Take everything out of the refrigerator
- Shut off your computer and log out. Set the alarm system to go off
- .shut down the water heater.
Is it necessary to put shutting off the water heater on your checklist? We really receive a large number of inquiries from folks who want to know if they should switch off their water heater while on vacation. Despite the fact that it makes sense to switch off all of your energy-consuming appliances while you’re away from home, there are some compelling arguments for leaving your water heater on while you’re away. When it comes to the short and quick answer, no, you should not switch off your water heater while away from home.
Why It’s Better to Leave It On
If you live in a chilly environment, you must keep this first point in mind at all times. Not only does your water heater provide you with hot water for showers and washing, but it also helps to keep your water from freezing inside of your pipes. Have you ever had a problem with frozen pipes? It’s not a nice sight. Broken or burst pipes can result from frozen pipes causing fractures, leaks, or even total destruction. Simply avoid it completely and leave your water heater turned on while on vacation.
- Someone could require hot water while you’re away
- It’s possible.
House sitting is recommended if you are going to be away for a prolonged amount of time from your home. At the very least, having a youngster from the next-door neighbor come over to watch television for a few hours is preferable than having nothing. The first thing a potential thief will do is glance around the house for signs of activity. If they see lights on and hear commotion, they’ll go on to locate another place to steal. Having said that, your house visitor may require the usage of hot water for a variety of reasons, including washing dishes or taking a shower.
Although your water heater may appear to be in perfect operating order, have you ever shut anything off only to discover that it will not switch back on?
Rather than taking the chance that your water heater will not switch back on, simply keep it on while you are gone and pay the additional $5 you would have saved had you not done so.
To be sure, maintaining hot water costs money, but reheating cold (or freezing) water later on costs far more.
- You don’t have to keep reminding yourself to switch it back on
- It’s automatic.
We all construct checklists while ready to go on vacation, and we’re not alone in this. Is it common practice to create a checklist while returning home? For example, if you aren’t the kind to switch your water heater off and back on on a regular basis, it is probable that you will forget to turn it back on when you arrive home.
This means that you may have done two loads of laundry and a load of dishes, and it is only when you try to take a hot shower the next morning that you notice that your water heater has been turned off since you returned home. Make a courtesy of yourself and just leave the item turned on.
Instead of Turning It Off, Try This
Was it apparent that you should not switch off your water heater while you go on vacation, or did we miss something? We’re praying for the best. However, if the cost of leaving your water heater on has you in a tizzy, you might want to consider the following. Simple as turning down the temperature on your water heater to the lowest level. This not only prevents your water from freezing, but it also saves you money by eliminating the need to keep your water scorching hot (hint: you should be keeping your water heater at 120 degrees for normal household use).
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10 Home Prep Tips Before Going on Vacation
When preparing for a long-term journey out of town, most of us concentrate on being ready for the time we’ll be away from our regular routine. It is, however, as necessary to prepare your house before you depart for your trip. Here are some things you can do to prepare your house before departing on vacation. 1Turn off the water supply to the house. When a pipe bursts or other plumbing problem occurs in your house, turning off the main water supply to your home is your greatest line of defense against flooding.
in Kingwood, Texas.
For example, in the Houston region, where he currently resides,
When You Should Turn off Your Water Heater
When it comes down to it, a water heater is a really straightforward item. You can rely on a tank water heater to provide you with consistent hot water for 10-15 years — all it wants in return is for you to do some routine maintenance on it. However, there are occasions when the unit’s upkeep must be taken into mind. A common question we receive from consumers is, “Do I need to switch off my water heater if.?” The following are responses to three frequent circumstances.
When the main water supply is shut off
It is possible that the main water supply will be switched off in a variety of situations. When this occurs, many homeowners ask if it is safe to leave the water heater turned on or whether it should be turned off as well. Yet, turning off the water heater may not be absolutely essential in the majority of circumstances; however, doing so will not be harmful any way. However, there are two instances in which you should turn off the unit to avoid excessive pressure or heat from building up inside the tank: (1) When the unit is not in use; and (2) When the unit is in use but not in use.
- The tank is completely depleted (or almost depleted) and will not be replenished for an extended length of time
- The main water supply is experiencing low pressure
When you go on vacation
When you travel on vacation or anticipate being away from home for a lengthy period of time, you should follow the standard procedures for preparing your house. You may make changes to your heating and cooling systems, program automated lighting, and place a hold on your mail. But what about the water heater in your home? While it may seem rational to turn off the water heater when it is not in use in order to conserve energy, this may not be as advantageous as you may expect. For starters, turning on and off the unit may be disruptive and difficult for the unit.
As soon as you arrive to your residence, you will be without hot water and you may experience difficulties reactivating the unit. Instead, turn on the “VAC” mode on your water heater (which is a typical feature on modern models).
When there’s a leak
The unit should be turned off and the water supply should be turned off until the problem is remedied. A leak can occur for a variety of causes, including age or a valve fault.
Plumbers in Murrieta and Winchester, CA
If you have any further concerns concerning your tank or tankless water heater, or if you believe it’s time for maintenance or repair, call the local plumbing experts at Liberty Plumbing for assistance. If you’d like to book an appointment, please contact (951) 760-4215.
A Few Suggestions Before You Go On Vacation – Water Heater, Programmable Thermostat – Gazifère
Before you embark on your vacation, consider the following suggestions to help you minimize your energy use a little and, most importantly, to help you sleep better while you’re away.
HEATING
Reduce the temperature on the thermostat. You should set the thermostat two to three degrees lower than usual if you are just going to be gone for a couple of weeks or less. If your thermostat is preset for various temperatures at different times of the day and night, it is recommended that you adjust it to the temperature you prefer at night. If you decrease the temperature any more, you will spend less energy while you are away, but when you return, you will have to use more energy over a longer period of time to compensate for the heat that has been lost through the floors, walls, and ceilings throughout the house.
WATER HEATER
Your standard storage-type water heater maintains water at 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit 24 hours a day because it consumes less energy to maintain water at the right temperature than it does to continuously heat cold water to the required temperature. Switching off the water heater fully is only more cost-effective if you plan to leave it off for a few weeks or longer. If this is the best choice for you, consult your appliance’s user manual to learn about the procedures you need take if you are going to be gone for a long amount of time.
You may also turn off the lights.
Track your bills
The transition to paperless billing has never been more convenient. Before you go for your trip, make sure that all of your suppliers have switched to paperless billing. In this way, you can keep track of all of your invoices and ensure that payments are made on time, no matter where you are. To access the Gazifère paperless billing website, please visit this link. Click here for information on how to do routine maintenance on your natural gas appliances. Other energy-saving tips for the house may be found here.
Should I Turn My Water Off When I Go On Vacation?
Most people don’t turn off the water every time they leave the house, but what if you’re going on vacation and forget to turn off the water? Is it necessary to switch off the water at that point? What about shorter vacations, such as weekend getaways or work travels? No matter if you’re taking some much-needed R & R or attending a work-related conference, arriving home to a plumbing problem or even worse, a disaster is never a pleasant experience.
Yes, you should turn off the water before you leave, to give you the short version of it. Here’s why it’s important and how to do it correctly.
Three Reasons to Turn Water Off While You’re Gone
It is possible to have one of the worst holiday experiences ever when you receive a phone call or learn when you return home that there has been an interior flood. Consider the following examples of why it literally pays to make certain that the water is turned off before you take off.
- Massive harm is a possibility. There are enormous expenditures associated with repairing carpeting, flooring, walls, electrical devices, personal things, and other objects that are destroyed as a consequence of leaking water supply lines, broken pipes, or other reasons such as a leaking water heater. Many of these expenses may not be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy, and even if they are, it might be months before you get any compensation for your losses. You should check your insurance policy right away to see if your coverage is voided for failure to shut off the water supply when you are away from your home for a specified period of time. You will be under a great deal of stress and inconvenience while you wait for the plumber, water extraction company, and insurance money to arrive and make things better for you. There’s also the emotional toll that comes with losing personal belongings like pictures or family heirlooms.
How to Shut Off Your Home’s Water
Irrespective of whether you’re simply going away for a few days, turning off the water to your home is a good idea. It’s quick and simple to do, and it relieves you of one more concern while you’re on vacation. If you have many valves under sinks, behind the toilet, or near the water heater it is not necessary to turn them all off at once. All you have to do is turn off the main water supply valve, which is normally found inside your home near where the main pipe enters the house. A valve is positioned on the exterior of certain residences where the water line connects to the water meter before entering the house.
Final Tip
Prepare for your departure by scheduling an inspection of your home’s faucets, water supply lines, and any other visible pipes for damage or leaks a week or so before you depart. Allow yourself ample time to hire a plumber to make any essential repairs if they become necessary. You can probably undertake some of the work yourself, such as tightening loose fittings and checking that other systems, such as sump pumps, are functioning properly. You went on vacation to take use of the pool, not to return home to find one!
We at David Gray Plumbing are ready to assist you with whatever your plumbing requirements may be.
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Turn off water heater on vacation?
Have you contacted the company that manufactured your water heater? So, here’s a rundown of what I do and my views about it. Not being a professional plumber or having any prior knowledge in this field, I’m simply a concerned homeowner who took a few notes and cautioned the reader in the event that my notes were not accurate. This is in addition to turning off the toilets and the water to the washing machine.We just installed a new water heater that was specifically designed for our type and circumstances – I was informed that: If we will be gone for less than one week, cut off the water main.
However, do not turn off the water main until you have completed the following: – On the water heater, turn the dial to the PILOT position. This leaves the pilot, who is fine, but the plane itself is not.
How to Set Your Water Heater to Vacation Mode and Turn It Back
Water heating systems consume a significant amount of energy to run. As a result, an increasing number of environmentally aware people (as well as those who just want to cut their utility bills) are learning how to set their water heaters into “vacation mode” with the goal of conserving energy and saving money. So, what exactly is vacation mode, and where do you go to locate it on your computer or smartphone?
Water Heater Vacation Mode: What Is It?
In your water heater system, there is an option called vacation mode that allows you to run your boiler at lower temperatures than usual, therefore conserving energy. In most cases, manufacturers set vacation mode at 50° F, which is far lower than the temperature required to heat your house, but high enough to keep any water from freezing while you’re gone. Certain systems will not require you to make any changes to the manufacturer’s settings. It is possible to regulate the temperature of the water by turning a dial.
Where Do You Find Vacation Mode And How Do You Use It?
There are a variety of techniques available from water heater manufacturers for putting your unit into vacation mode, the most prominent of which is a particular setting on the thermostat itself. To check if your thermostat has a vacation mode, go to the settings menu and scroll through the options. If it does, all you have to do is choose it, and the system will take care of the rest. If your thermostat does not have a vacation mode that is expressly stated on it, you may manually accomplish the same result as a vacation mode by setting the temperature to “Pilot” mode and leaving it there until you return.
Why You Should Put Your Water Heater In Vacation Mode
It is primarily for financial reasons that you should put your water heater into vacation mode. You have no need to heat water to 120 degrees if you are not going to be in the house to utilize it. It is a waste of energy that results in an increase in your utility costs. The other reason is to keep freezing water from causing damage to your pipes during lengthy periods of extremely cold weather. If you forget to switch off your water heating system while you’re gone and the water freezes into ice, you face the danger of cracks in your pipes, damage to your plumbing, and perhaps the need to replace your entire system.
Then, when you switch on your machine again, it doesn’t work anymore.
Should You Turn off a Tankless Water Heater When Going for Vacations ?
The use of air conditioners When you go on a vacation, you have the opportunity to unwind and enjoy your time before returning to your regular responsibilities and responsibilities. It is necessary, however, to double-check that everything is safe before leaving the house for several days. Whether or whether you should turn off your tankless water heater while on vacation is a valid question. The answer to this question is, without a doubt, that you should.
After all, failure to do so may result in floods, which will cause extensive damage. It’s possible that you’ll arrive home to find everything in disarray. However, there are also more benefits to shutting off your tankless water heater while you are away for the weekend.
Benefits of Turning Off Your Tankless Water Heater While on Vacation
Every time you think about your tankless water heater, which you failed to switch off, you are likely to experience uneasiness. Imagine the degree of the destruction that it is capable of causing, and you will not be able to rest easy. Whenever you leave the house, whether for a short period of time or for an extended period of time, it is essential to make certain that everything in your home is secure. This provides you with the much-needed peace of mind while you are away on vacation. Vacations are intended to be a time of rest and relaxation for both the mind and the body.
- When you do this, you will be better able to deal with any challenges that may arise during your leisure time.
- It is possible for your tankless water heater to leak while you are away from home, resulting in flooding and water damage to your home.
- It may be quite expensive and time-consuming to replace them.
- When your tankless water heater has been in operation for a significant amount of time, perhaps ten or more years, it is time to replace it.
- As a result, leaving your computer unattended while on vacation exposes you to greater threats than you would imagine.
- The consequences of this might include damage that is difficult to repair.
- Nonetheless, it is vital to ensure that you are familiar with all of the insurance policy provisions.
- For example, you may leave your tank empty.
- If, on the other hand, you discover a mess in your house, this may alter.
- If the damage is severe enough, you will not only need to have your house restored, but you will also need to locate temporary housing if the damage is that severe.
Should you turn off the tankless water heater when on vacation?
When you turn off your tankless water heater while you are away on vacation, you are likely to receive a variety of benefits. Due to the fact that your tankless water heater is subject to some risk exposure, it is recommended that you take measures at all times. There are plumbing issues, the incidence of which is questionable in some cases.
For example, some little leaks that may go unnoticed at home may turn out to be explosive when you depart for your vacation since they have accumulated over time. Only professional plumbers with extensive knowledge can resolve this issue through regular inspections of your water system.
Useful Tips for Turning Off Your Tankless Water Heater
In most cases, unless you forget, turning off a tankless water heater in your home is not a difficult task. If you are unable to remember to do it on a regular basis, you will need to write it down in your notebook under the heading “things to do everyday.” In the event of a plumbing emergency, you must be aware of where the main water supply valve is located in your home. The other critical step is to ensure that your valve is fully functional before proceeding. Before you depart, you must turn off the water and make sure that the water does not continue to run.
After determining that your valves are in proper functioning order, you may depart certain that the only water leakage that might cause harm is a clogged drain.
Does shutting off a water heater damage it?
In most cases, cutting off the heat source for your tankless water heater will not result in any noticeable consequences. When you are taking a break, it is ideal if you turn off your water heater as well as the main water supply.
Conclusion
Relaxation would be preferable when on vacation, if at all possible. The greatest time to unwind your mind, body, and soul is now. Get adequate sleep and take pleasure in every minute before getting back to your hectic routine in the morning. It is possible to lessen the number of things you have to think about while on vacation by turning off the water heater. This will enable for you to fully immerse yourself in your vacation experience.
Call Smile HVAC?
If you want assistance with the maintenance or repair of your tankless water heater, you can always rely on Smile HVAC to provide assistance. You can be confident that your water heater is in capable hands because of their extensive experience and knowledge of everything HVAC-related.
Should I Turn Off My Water Heater When It’s Not in Use?
In order to conserve money, many homeowners inquire as to whether they should switch off their water heater between usage. After analyzing the figures, we came up with a professional response. The answer is no, unless you’re planning to leave on a month-long or longer trip, you shouldn’t switch off your water heater. The reason behind this is as follows:
- The amount of energy saved will be little. By continuously turning off and on your water heater, you will just exacerbate the situation.
For brief vacations (less than a month), we recommend simply lowering the temperature of your water heater or switching it to “vacation” mode on your thermostat. We’ll go through all of our recommendations above (as well as some other energy-saving suggestions) in further detail below.
Two reasonsnotto turn your water heater off
Following certain calculations, we discovered that the average Phoenix homeowner will only save the following amounts:
- Shutting down their gas water heater saves them around $0.76 per day
- Shutting down their electric water heater saves them approximately $1.36 per day.
Please keep in mind that we utilized the water heater energy cost calculator from Energy.gov to arrive at the figures presented above. We used the average electric and gas prices in Phoenix as a starting point and assumed a 60-gallon gas water heater with an EF of.67 and a 60-gallon electric water heater with an EF of.92. Your particular savings will vary based on your hot water consumption, the efficiency of your water heater, and the rates charged by your local utility company.
But unless you’re planning a month-long (or longer) trip, the savings you’ll accrue from turning your water heater on and off will be insufficient to compensate for the inconvenience of dealing with some of the difficulties you may experience. This takes us to the second point.
2. You’ll just create more problems
In the event that you switch your water heater off between uses and then back on again within a short period of time, you will encounter the following difficulties:
- When you return, there will be no hot water. After returning from your vacation, you’ll be met by a tank of lukewarm water, which will come as a rude surprise when you go into the shower. According to your water heater, you might be waiting anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour for hot water
- Difficulties turning the unit back on
- And other issues. Anything that has the potential to go wrong will, as Murphy’s Law predicts. After shutting off their water heater entirely for many days, we’ve had multiple calls from customers who are unable to get their water heater to switch back on. Particularly vulnerable to difficulties are homeowners who live in older homes or apartments. This is due to the fact that when old units are turned back on and pushed to heat, they may experience a greater degree of stress than usual.
Instead of turningoffyour water heater, do this…
If you’re going on vacation, lower the temperature of your water heater or put it into “vacation” mode. It is possible to reduce the amount of power and gas that your model will consume while you are away from home by adjusting the thermostat down or setting it to “holiday” (a feature available on certain newer models). Almost all contemporary water heater types include this vacation feature, which is typically designated as “VAC” on the thermostat. Typically, the ” VAC ” mode will lower the water temperature to 50 degrees Fahrenheit so that your water heater does not have to work as hard as it does during regular operation (when the water is continually heated to 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit).
Is this “VAC” option not visible to you?
Other ways to lower your water heating costs
Are you looking for more strategies to cut your power bills? Then take into consideration the following water heater energy-saving recommendations:
- Insulating your tank might result in annual savings of 7 percent to 16 percent. Your water heater is likely to be warm to the touch, which indicates that you are losing money right now. Due to what is known as “standby heat loss,” older water heaters lose a significant amount of their heat via the tank itself (which is why the water feels heated). In order to reduce your standby heat loss, have your tank professionally insulated
- Have your unit periodically flushed/maintained if necessary. A water heater in Arizona should be cleansed at least once a year, according to the manufacturer. Water heater flushing is the process of totally emptying it, cleaning out any sediment buildup, and then refilling it with water. Because we have “hard” water in Arizona, sediment building is a common occurrence here (water with a lot of minerals in it). Eventually, such minerals sink to the bottom of the ocean.
Have more water heater questions? Ask an Arizona plumber
We can assist you with your water heater repair, replacement, or general information. Simply call us for expert qualified plumbers that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Related reading:
- My gas water heater keeps shutting down
- How long does a water heater last in Arizona
- And more questions.
Is It Necessary to Turn Off Water When Going on a Long Vacation?
Long vacations are something we all look forward to, and we all want to do something that we can actually enjoy while we’re away. However, if you’re anything like me, you’ll constantly have nightmares of returning from a trip to find that your water pipes have burst, flooding your home. When I’m on a long trip, one thing that helps me feel more at peace is shutting off the water. But is this really required in this case? You must turn off the water mains if you are going to be away for more than a week, or even longer than that.
You can keep some necessities open, but not the line that runs directly into your home, which must be closed.
Potential Issues When on a Long Vacation
Everyone should remember this comment from Fred Spaulding, president of Quality Home Improvements, Inc.: “If you’re going to have a leaky supply line, it’s going to happen when you’re away from home.” It’s a sad fact of life that practically everyone who goes on vacation has the recurring fear that they will return home to a flooded house after a long absence. If you’ve ever been on vacation and known that you have an open water line, you’ll know that it’s impossible to relax and enjoy yourself while on vacation.
We’ve all heard horror stories about a broken pipe, but how awful can it really be if you don’t respond to the problem as soon as it occurs and fix it? Here are some potential difficulties that you might want to think about before you leave for your vacation:
- A ruptured washing machine hose can be caused by an open water line, which can cause damage to the hose. Depending on when it hits, you might be dealing with tremendous floods and significant damage while you are gone. The longer it takes you to resolve the problem, the more money you will have to spend. Water heater that is leaking: Because water heaters include tanks that hold water, just shutting off the supply line will not suffice. Even though the leak is not as severe as it would be if you had left the supply line exposed, it might still result in flooding in your home if the tank is not properly sealed. More information may be found by clicking here. Broken supply line in your toilet: water flows continually in your toilet, and if the water line in your toilet is damaged while you’re away, it might cause catastrophic damage in various areas around your home.
Will There Be a Downside to Turning Off Water?
Occasionally, you’ll hear someone claim that turning off the water might cause more damage than just leaving it on. Those who are leaving their homes may even be advised to drain their water pipes before leaving. Is there, on the other hand, a drawback to shutting off the water before you go on vacation? Turning off the water mains can do significant harm, particularly if you do it on a frequent basis. Pressure fluctuations on a regular basis might cause difficulties with your system, which can lead to even more complications.
In fact, every time you turn on your faucet, the pressure fluctuations in your system are exactly the same.
Emptying Your Water Lines
Another measure that some individuals take is to drain the water lines before they leave their house. If they’re away for a lengthy amount of time, it minimizes the likelihood of a leak occurring. If you have just returned from a vacation, however, you should not switch on the water system right away. It would be preferable to turn it on very slowly since rapid increases in pressure might generate a water hammer effect, which can put stress on the pipes and cause them to burst. In general, there aren’t any negative consequences to turning off the water mains, as long as you remember to turn it back on again.
Turning off the water mains is a simple process that takes very little time.
Should You Turn Off Water Every Time You Leave?
Surely, if it is necessary to switch off the water before going on a long holiday, we should do the same when going to work? After all, leaks might occur at work as well, and you won’t be present to deal with the situation, will you? You’d have to consider the advantages and disadvantages of shutting off the water mains to decide whether or not you should do it every time you left the house.
- The first of them would be the regular variations in pressure in the pipelines themselves. Always keep in mind that variations in water pressure might increase the likelihood of your water pipe failing, and that shutting it off every time could do additional harm. You’d also have to consider the amount of time you’d be unable to deal with the problem. When a water line leaks for eight hours, the difference between that and broken pipes that have been leaking for more than a week is significant. The longer a leak persists, the greater the amount of damage it may inflict.
Even while turning off your water supply line every time you leave your house will prevent you from having to deal with a flooded house when you get home from work, doing so can significantly limit the lifespan of your supply line. When going on a long vacation, it is vital to turn off the water to prevent flooding from occurring. The consequences of prolonged flooding can be severe. This does not imply, however, that you must also turn it off whenever you leave the house or while you are not at home.
In addition, it saves you the time and effort of having to empty all lines and then gently refill them every time you come.
Conclusion
In order to fully enjoy your vacation, you should try to be “in the now” and avoid thinking about things that may go wrong while you’re gone. In the event that you’ve had a leaking water pipe, knowing that you have open flowing water within your home will not make you feel at rest. You must turn off the water while you are away from home for a lengthy period of time since it provides you with peace of mind.
It also protects you from having to deal with any problems that may arise when you finally get at your destination. Alternatively, you might be interested in reading:Should I Turn Off the Water Heater if the Water is Turned Off?