Question about part time Hot Water Heater use

[johncotexas]

We are installing a new HW heater (the old one rusted out and flooded the house) For the next four months we are only going to be at this house on weekends doing repairs before moving in permanently. I was planning on turning the HW heater off or at least way down while we are away to save electricity. Is this OK? Does the water just sitting in there cause harm? Would it be better to drain it every time we leave? I know it is a different story in the winter but I am just curious for what to do for now. Thanks

[mickm]

Thats a good plan. I wouldn't turn it completely off. There is a slight chance, i you are on well water, that a bacteria could start there in move elsewhere. It should be killed when you turn the heat back up, but why take the chance?

[plowjockey]

Shut it off.

If you have enough bacteria to cause problems, you'll have it anyway in your well cold-water pressue tank.

[Alice In TX/MO]

If you haven't already bought a tank water heater, change your plan and get a tankless on-demand water heater.

http://www.energysavers.gov/your_hom.../mytopic=12820

[Harry Chickpea]

If it were me...

I know that from my food science and safety courses that the magic numbers are 55 degrees and 155 degrees. Most (but not all) pathogens grow and multiply between those two temperatures. Therefore... I would cut off the power when I wasn't there, and set the thermostat to 160 for when I powered it on. I would also dose the water system with chlorine or hydrogen peroxide.

[Micheal]

I "DITTO" Alice's suggestion, go with a tankless on demand water heater.

[Micahn]

Turning it off is fine but do not drain a water heater and just let it set empty after filling it.
Read this link to understand just what a anode rod does in a water heater. if drained it can not work.
http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/pag...er-anodes.html

The size of the anode rod is the only difference between the different guarantee times of water heaters. A 10 year guarantee water heater will have 2 times the size of the anode rod than 5 year guarantee water heater.

[ronbre]

if you haven't bought your unit yet, buy an instant on hot water heater..they only heat water when you are using them anyway..and they are far more efficient for smaller families than tank style..if you have already bought one..we used to turn off in laws water heater for 6 mo when they flew south for the winter

[Txrider]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

If you haven't already bought a tank water heater, change your plan and get a tankless on-demand water heater.

http://www.energysavers.gov/your_hom.../mytopic=12820

That's something to seriously look into, tankless hot water heaters are getting pretty good these days.

Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about turning it off when your gone, it should be no more of an issue than the water out in your well tank is. It may smell a bit at first after not being used for a long time if it uses a magnesium based anode rod in it, but it will do that if left on as well.

[johncotexas]

Thanks for the suggestions for a tankless. We may go that route. I have been looking and have yet to find a good source for one. The big box hardware stores offer them but the customers reviews on their websites are not encouraging. Thanks again...

[Paul Wheaton]

I suggest you become familiar with legionella bacteria. They're the biggest issue with hot water heaters.

I think I would turn it off, but when I turn it back on, I would set it as hot as it would go. And I wouldn't use any water from it until it has been hot for at least an hour.

Here's a long thread about hot water and legionella.

[Bentley]

Were it mine, I would turn it off when I was going to be away. When I returned, I would simply run 50 to 75 gallons of water through it before using. (Wash the car or something) That amount of water would probably cost less than the electricity (or gas) to heat it up to 160.

but that's just my 2 pennies