No it wont hurt the water heater. Turning the gas on and allowing the burner to operate with an empty water heater would damage it, but no gas, with or without water in the tank will not hurt anything.

Is it safe to turn gas water heater to off?

No, unless you’re going on vacation for a month or longer, you shouldn’t turn off your water heater. Here’s why: You won’t see significant energy savings. You’ll create more problems by turning your water heater off/on repeatedly.

Is it safe to turn off water heater?





Any time you go on vacation, it’s best to also turn off your water heater as well. Turning off the source of the heat (gas, electric) while you’re away will not damage your water heater. This will save you in power (gas) and potential damage if it leaks too.

Which way do you turn a gas valve on a water heater?

To find a water heaters’ gas shut off valve look for a single handle valve that would usually be located at the bottom of the unit about a foot or two out. The valve will look similar to the one in the image below. Turn this valve in the clockwise position to turn the gas off.

What happens if you turn on an empty water heater?

He said most consumer-grade electric water heaters can be rendered useless if they are drained from the unit’s drainage valve without turning it off. “What happens is in an electric current water tank, if you expose those heating elements to air, they burn though and you’ll have to replace them,” Francis said.

Can water heater explode if turned off?

The answer is a resounding YES. Electric water heaters absolutely can explode. That’s not to say you should necessarily be concerned. Water heaters that are installed and maintained properly almost never do so, and having a legitimate technician install and maintain your water heater is always the best option.

Will pipes burst if water is turned off?





“This evening before you go to sleep, go out and turn that main turn off, turn some faucets on so your pipes can drain. They can’t burst if there’s no water in them to freeze,” Director of Public Works for the City of Houston Carol Haddock said.

Should I turn my water heater off at night?

Generally speaking, a gas water heater should not be turned off unless you are leaving the house for an extended period of time. Even then the better choice for gas water heaters is to just turn the temperature down. In fact, many water heaters have a “vacation” setting on the temperature control.

Does turning off water supply affect boiler?

Worried that turning off your water supply will adversely affect your boiler? This worry is usually caused by a fear of overheating, like boiling a kettle with no water in it. In reality though, your boiler is unlikely to be at risk of damage.

How common is it for a water heater to explode?

Water heater explosions are rare but when they do happen, they can be devastating. Do not wait for a catastrophe. Here are a few signs your water heater will give before going burst. The pressure relief valve is usually located at the top of heater, on the side.

Can a gas hot water heater explode?



While rare, residential water heater explosions do occur and can be deadly. Explosions are possible with both gas and electric tank water heaters, primarily those that are poorly maintained.

Can a gas heater explode?

The modern gas furnace is much safer than electric space heaters, and furnaces are built to high safety standards. Although it is possible for a gas furnace to either catch fire or explode, it’s highly unlikely. If there is a danger of this happening, the furnace will usually simply shut off—as it’s designed to.

What causes a gas heater to explode?

Because furnaces burn fuel to produce heat, they release carbon monoxide. While a furnace maintained properly will release this explosive gas through vents, an old, poorly maintained one can have a leak through which carbon monoxide escapes.

Is it normal to smell gas from a gas heater?



It’s normal for gas furnaces to emit small amounts of gas when cycling on. If you occasionally detect a faint gas odor near the furnace during this cycle, you don’t have anything to worry about. However, if you frequently smell gas throughout your home, your furnace could have a dangerous leak.

What causes home gas explosions?

What causes a gas leak? Gas leaks in the home are usually the result of poorly fitted, badly maintained or faulty appliances like boilers and cookers.

How common are gas leak explosions?

Across the U.S. there are about 286 serious natural gas explosions per year—the type that cause over $50,000 worth of damage, severe injury, or loss of life. Between , 15 people per year on average died in incidents related to gas distribution in the U.S.

How can I prevent gas explosions in my house?

Install natural gas detectors both in your home and in the workplace. Install gas detectors anywhere gas could possibly accumulate, but also where people will be able to hear the alarm. Maintain and monitor gas detection equipment on a regular basis. Make sure the batteries are working.