[New Englander]

I have a 40 gal electric water heater. If I am going to be away from the home for say two months should I shut it off, or just leave it alone? If shutting it off is the way to go, should I drain the tank?

[k2at333]

Don't shut it. Put the pilot light on pilot only so it does not heat the water. Don't drain the tank. When you get back you then only have to put the pilot light back where it was and voila, hot water.

[Wiotte]

Originally Posted by New Englander

I have a 40 gal electric water heater. If I am going to be away from the home for say two months should I shut it off, or just leave it alone? If shutting it off is the way to go, should I drain the tank?

Shut it off, do not drain it.


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[Chatbrat]

Shut it off and unplug all your electronics, turn of the water to your washing machine, dishwasher and ice maker (refrig)

[Nucky]

Originally Posted by New Englander

I have a 40 gal electric water heater. If I am going to be away from the home for say two months should I shut it off, or just leave it alone? If shutting it off is the way to go, should I drain the tank?

I wouldn't touch nuttin. Hire a house service to inspect your entire home while you're absent. It is worth the money. If the water heater is old and rusted around the base get it replaced before you have a situation. Don't drain it.

[retiredguy123]

I would just shut off the main water valve in the house. You can leave the water heater alone, or turn the temperature down. If you turn the temperature down, you may need to turn down both top and bottom heating coils because some electric heaters have two heating elements. I never drain the water heater because the drain valve may leak when you refill it. They tend to become clogged with calcium over time. Also, make sure the toilets have plenty of water in the bowl and close the lids to prevent them from drying out. You should be fine for two months. If you do hire a house service, I would still turn off the water and have the service person turn it on every two weeks or so. Also, I would not recommend turning off the washing machine, dishwasher, and toilet valves because these valves are only intended for occasional use, and can often leak If you mess with them too often.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by New Englander

I have a 40 gal electric water heater. If I am going to be away from the home for say two months should I shut it off, or just leave it alone? If shutting it off is the way to go, should I drain the tank?

Flip the breaker for the water heater off. There is no need to drain it. In addition, turn off the water to your house.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by photo1902

Flip the breaker for the water heater off. There is no need to drain it. In addition, turn off the water to your house.

agree

[New Englander]

If I turn off the water to the house, will it effect the outside lawn sprinkler?

[billmcnall]

Turning off house supply does not effect sprinkler system.

[Toymeister]

An electric water heater left on in a vacant home cost 8.27 per month for no benefit.

I have a energy monitor so I can see exactly what the water heater costs, I also have the ability to remotely turn the heater on and off. I leave mine off.

Edit to add: I can tell you the fidelity on the monitor gets so accurate I know that a whirpool french door fridge costs 4.14/month in a vacant home

[jsw14]

Originally Posted by photo1902

Flip the breaker for the water heater off. There is no need to drain it. In addition, turn off the water to your house.

This is what I would do. Go & have fun on your trip with NO worry's. When U get back take a Cold shower.

[New Englander]

The main water shut-off is inside the garage. Where would I find the outside sprinkler shut off be so I just know where it is?

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by jsw14

This is what I would do. Go & have fun on your trip with NO worry's. When U get back take a Cold shower.

Actually, probably not. If you had the ability to see how many minutes your heater runs to heat the water you would be surprised. In an occupied home it runs less than nine minutes on average. Starting from an ambient of your garage that heater will be pumping out not h2o in 15 minutes or less.

[DARFAP]

As a part-timer, I turn off the 2 CBs every time I go away. That was part of a checklist I received from The Villages sales when I closed. I also turn off the water.

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