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.
Should you turn off the water when you go on vacation?
Remember to shut off the main water supply to your home any time you’re planning to be away for more than 24 hours. Yes, that includes weekend breaks. It’s the best way to avoid serious water damage in the event of a plumbing failure.
What is vacation mode on a water heater?
Most conventional, power-vented water heater models will have a setting called ‘vacation mode’. Using this setting will allow you to have specific controls over how hot the water in your tank will get and when it will turn off and on. Conventional water heaters typically keep water at 55 to 60 degrees, 24 hours a day.
How do I turn on the water heater when I go on vacation?
For gas water heaters, shut off the gas supply to the tank. For electric water heaters, turn off the power to the machine in your breaker box. When you return, simply restore the connections and relight the pilot light if you have a gas water heater.
Should I leave my heating on when on holiday?
If you’re going on a holiday during the winter, we recommend keeping the heat on. This keeps your house warm and reduces the risk of your pipes freezing if you’re not using them. Because there will be no burst pipes due to freezing pipes, your central heating will be ready to use when you arrive home.
What do I do with my water heater when I go on vacation?
If you’re away during warmer months, placing the water heater in vacation mode is unnecessary, and the heater can just be powered off. This goes for both gas and electric water heaters. For gas, twist the thermostat dial to the OFF position. For electric models, turn off the water heater at the circuit breaker.
Should I turn off heater when away?
Heat constantly escapes your home when it’s cold outdoors, which is why it makes sense to lower the thermostat when you’re not there. But turning off the furnace in the winter—especially when you’re away for long periods of time—runs the risk of frozen pipes that could easily burst when they thaw.
What should I leave my heater on when I am not home?
The same goes for cooling costs: Keep the house warmer than normal when you’re not home and try to leave the thermostat at around 78 degrees F (26 degrees C) otherwise [sources: Department of Energy, Sierra Club].
