water heater question

[04 commemorative]

Notice I didn't say "hot water heater"
Ohhh wise OT'ers

Ok, I put in an electric water heater in the garage and was wondering this....If we go away for two days is it more efficient to turn off electric to heater or leave it alone ?
And then what about a week or two

[Big bob]

Two days I would leave it alone two weeks I would drain it.

And change that plastic piece of shit valve for a full bore ball valve.

[slewfoot]

I dunno but we usually keep it on Vacation Mode.

[Thunder22]

for 2 days? i would leave it alone. Why not get an iOT leak detector, put the heater in vacation mode and be done with it.

[PLRX]

Leave it alone

[Raazor]

Leave it alone

[VITE1]

I turn mine off if leaving for more than a day.

I also turn off the water.

Came home one day to a smoking heater. A few years before that a pipe burst and cost 100k to repair the damage.

[04 commemorative]

I do turn water main off if leaving for a day or more...

[ZipZap]

Does it not have an "Eco" setting for just this purpose?

Either way, I would never turn it off, just crank it down to low.

[VatorMan]

I have an AO Smith hybrid water heater-and yes it has an app.

[Frankie the Fink]

Originally Posted by VITE1

I turn mine off if leaving for more than a day.

I also turn off the water.

Came home one day to a smoking heater. A few years before that a pipe burst and cost 100k to repair the damage.

I have a Flume water sensor on my city meter and phone app, if I'm gone and get an alert about excessive usage in real time, my neighbor knows how to crank off the water main.

https://www.amazon.com/Flume-Smart-W...29994269&psc=1

There are some much more expensive sensors that can actually cut off water flow.

[Yadkin]

It's always more efficient to turn it off.

[Frankie the Fink]

Originally Posted by Yadkin

It's always more efficient to turn it off.

I have an 80 gallon, old school dual thermostat electric, new AO Smith and well insulated. Turning it off for a couple of days makes no sense, getting that water back up to temp will require more electricity than allowing it to keep its ambient temperature by being turned on but unused.

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

I have an 80 gallon, old school dual thermostat electric, new AO Smith and well insulated. Turning it off for a couple of days makes no sense, getting that water back up to temp will require more electricity than allowing it to keep its ambient temperature by being turned on but unused.

Nope. It loses heat as a function of the temperature difference.

[Paypre]

Quick water heater question for you all. Just installed an electric one in the garage and now I'm pondering life's big mysteries: to power off or not when we're out for a couple of days? And what's the deal for longer trips, like a week or two? Share your wisdom! And while we're at it, highly recommend Radiator Village - the go-to spot for all your radiator needs!

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by Paypre

Quick water heater question for you all. Just installed an electric one in the garage and now I'm pondering life's big mysteries: to power off or not when we're out for a couple of days? And what's the deal for longer trips, like a week or two? Share your wisdom!

Here’s some wisdom: Don’t ask stupid questions.

[Egnalf]

the amount of energy saved will never trump this:

If you’re turning your water heater off for vacations, you’re not saving yourself much money, and you’re increasing the risk of dangerous bacterial growth. First, from a health standpoint keeping the water in the tank hot keeps you safe. Lukewarm and cool water temperatures encourage nasty bacterial growth

[04 commemorative]

Makes a certain amount of sense....but the RED letters convinced me for sure

[LATB]

The only time I have ever shut the WH off was to replace it. And I usually replace the house 1st.

[donuts]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

Here’s some wisdom: Don’t ask stupid questions.

Damn bot.