It’s vacation time! You’ve packed your bags and grabbed your plane ticket, so you’re ready to go, right? Not so fast. You probably know to turn off your AC and electronics, but have you considered your water heater? Should you turn off your water heater when on vacation?
If you want to learn more about how you can prep your Framingham home for your departure, then check out this information from Pro Comfort Control, a highly-rated plumber in Framingham. We can instruct you on everything you need to know about your water heater, and what to do with it to prep for your upcoming vacation.
Are There Advantages To Turning Off Your Framingham Water Heater During Vacation?
If you’re leaving for vacation for more than a week, it’s easy to see why you’d want to turn off your water heater in your Framingham home. For vacations longer than a week, it can be helpful to keep your air conditioner off or seal all your windows, so what about your water heater?
Many families elect to take their entire HVAC system offline. This is a good thing, as it can help the family save money. Similarly, all lights and other power-sucking devices are off for the entire family trip. However, because your water heater doesn’t use as much power as your air conditioner; there is pretty much no benefit to turning it off.
Disadvantages of Turning Off Your Water Heater
While it may sound like a smart financial decision that can help your home in Framingham, there aren’t many benefits to turning off your water heater, even if you are gone for longer than a week. In fact, you may find that you’re more inconvenienced by turning it off rather than leaving it how it is for the entirety of your vacation. There are a few reasons why you should consider leaving your water heater alone, which include:
It Doesn't Actually Save You Money
If you’re going to be gone for a week or longer, it may not be advantageous to turn your water heater off. It doesn’t provide significant energy savings, not much more than a few cents a day. Energy savings depend entirely on the make and model of your water heater.
If you have an older water heater, you may save more money because ancient units are quite inefficient. If you’re planning on leaving your home for a month or longer, then you should consider leaving your water heater off.
It Can Cause Water Heater Issues
If you turn off your Framingham water heater before a vacation, you may have problems with it when you get back. The most obvious is the lack of hot water, which is a serious inconvenience if you plan on taking a hot shower once you get home.
Once you turn your water heater back on, it may take an hour or longer for you to get hot water back. If you have an older water heater, you may even have to wait a few days for it to kick into full gear. In the most extreme circumstances, you may even accidentally damage your water heater from the reboot, especially if you were gone for a few weeks.
To Save Money, Use Vacation Mode
Should you turn off your water heater when on vacation? While the answer may be no, you do have other options. Consider putting your water heater in vacation mode.
Some water heaters have a dedicated vacation mode you can use to help conserve energy. If you don’t have that option, you can turn it down to the lowest possible setting. This keeps the temperature low while saving you money.
Work With Pro Comfort Control in Framingham
Now that you know the answer to the question, “Should you turn off your water heater when on vacation?” why not get the rest of your plumbing questions answered by Pro Comfort Control? Whether you need a water heater replacement or a leak check for your pipes, Pro Comfort Control has everything you need with the professionals and tools to back it up. We specialize in fixing:
- Plumbing: From water heaters to your pipes.
- Heating: To keep your house temperature controlled during the winter.
- Air Conditioning: For when you need a break from the heat during the summer.
If you need a new installation for your home, Pro Comfort Control has what you need. To call us and schedule a consultation, reach out at 508-955-4776.
Author Bio:
Ryan McKernan
Founder
Passionate about delivering outstanding craftsmanship and superior customer service. Offering our customers the absolute best selection of heating, cooling, hot water and plumbing equipment and top-quality installation materials with industry-leading installers. Brings over 25 years of invaluable experience to every project.