When planning for a vacation, there are several things that come to mind – packing your bags, making travel arrangements, and ensuring your home is safe while you’re away. One thing that often gets overlooked in this process is your water heater.
Should you turn it off when you’re on vacation? Let’s take a closer look.
Why Turn Off Your Water Heater?
Firstly, turning off your water heater can save you money on your energy bills. If you’re going to be away for an extended period of time, say a week or more, there’s no point in keeping the heater running. Not only will this waste electricity or gas, but it will also put unnecessary wear and tear on the appliance.
Another reason to consider turning off your water heater is to prevent any potential damage from leaks. Even if there isn’t any obvious damage to the water heater before you leave, it’s not unheard of for leaks to occur while the unit sits unused for an extended period of time. If this happens, it can lead to flooding and costly repairs.
Exceptions to Turning Off Your Water Heater
While turning off your water heater might seem like a no-brainer in most cases, there are some exceptions where leaving it on might be advisable.
If you live in an area that experiences frequent freezing temperatures during the winter months, leaving your water heater running can actually help prevent damage from frozen pipes. The heat from the appliance can help keep the pipes warm enough so that they don’t freeze and burst.
Additionally, if you have pets or houseplants that require warm water while you’re away, leaving the water heater on may be necessary.
Steps for Turning Off Your Water Heater
If you’ve decided that turning off your water heater is the best course of action before going on vacation, here are some steps to follow:
- Turn off the power supply – If you have an electric water heater, turn off the power supply at the circuit breaker. For gas water heaters, turn the thermostat to “pilot” mode.
- Turn off the water supply – Locate the valve that supplies cold water to your water heater and turn it off. This will prevent any new water from entering the appliance.
- Drain the tank – Once you’ve turned off both the power and water supply, it’s time to drain the tank.
Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the unit and direct it towards a floor drain or outside. Open up both hot and cold faucets in your home to allow air into your plumbing system and speed up drainage.
- Leave one faucet open – Before leaving, leave one faucet open slightly to release any remaining pressure in your plumbing system. This will help prevent any potential damage from leaks while you’re away.
In Conclusion
So, should you turn off your water heater when going on vacation? In most cases, yes.
It can save you money on energy bills and prevent potential damage from leaks. However, there are exceptions where leaving it on might be advisable. Whatever you decide, following these steps for turning off your water heater can help ensure that your home stays safe while you’re away.