Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Owner Snow birding, Do you turn off the Natural Gas Supply Valve to the Water Heater
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Old 11-08-2021, 09:27 AM
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Default gas hot water heater

Quote:
Originally Posted by Catalina36 View Post
Wondering what other Snow Bird Owners are doing if anything with their Natural Gas Water Heater when you are away for several months or more???? Do You Shut Off the Natural Gas Supply Valve to the Water Heater???

Right now I have been leaving the Natural Gas on to the Water Heater and I just put the Water Heater Thermostat on the LOW setting.
Do NOT shut off the gas, you are doing it correctly. Just leave the water heater on low, which generally is around 80 degrees. If you shut off the gas you will need to empty the heater as the water in it could freeze. Water heaters do not like to be drained. We have been doing it this way for 10 years and it has been fine. Our other routine is to shut off the main water valve, drain the pipes, add a little RV antifreeze to all the traps including the toilets (it is pink) then go back through the house and leave every faucet on just a little big so if there IS any water left in the pipe it has someplace to go. Good luck from up here in the cold northeast.