Gas water heater over the winter...

FlyingScot · 08-02-2022, 08:49 AM

SailinAway's recent thread brings a different question to mind--

Our NH house is used sporadically over the winter and we have kept the gas water heater on....Is it OK to turn off a gas hot water heater for weeks or months at a time, then turn it back on, wait a few hours for the water to heat up, and enjoy a shower as if nothing had happened? (I'd switch off/on both gas and electric simultaneously)

Thanks

Garcia · 08-02-2022, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

SailinAway's recent thread brings a different question to mind--

Our NH house is used sporadically over the winter and we have kept the gas water heater on....Is it OK to turn off a gas hot water heater for weeks or months at a time, then turn it back on, wait a few hours for the water to heat up, and enjoy a shower as if nothing had happened? (I'd switch off/on both gas and electric simultaneously)

Thanks

I hope so as I regularly turn off the gas hot water heater on the island if I am away for long stretches (generally during the "shoulder seasons"). When I get to camp, I light the pilot, heat the water, and use it without thinking about it.

AC2717 · 08-02-2022, 09:03 AM

I would not reccomend doing this as bacteria and other items will grow in the water and could contaminate. If you are going to do this then I would drain the tank, what you could do is lower the temp on the water so it cycles still. was advised but a plumber a long time ago, legioneers is a possibility

thinkxingu · 08-02-2022, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC2717

I would not reccomend doing this as bacteria and other items will grow in the water and could contaminate. If you are going to do this then I would drain the tank, what you could do is lower the temp on the water so it cycles still. was advised but a plumber a long time ago, legioneers is a possibility

From the other thread's research, it appears that once the water is heated up to >120, bacteria/Legionnaire's is not an issue.

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Woody38 · 08-02-2022, 10:24 AM

We have been going to our house in California for the winter since 2010. At the house in Massachusetts, I shut the main water valve off and shut off the gas water heater. My plumber said it was not a problem. The only difficulty is starting the thing up when we return. The controls are almost on the floor and this poor body does not enjoy the deed. The plumber installed a Rhem heater, not my favorite. Should have purchased one myself.

_______________________________

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

AC2717 · 08-02-2022, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

From the other thread's research, it appears that once the water is heated up to >120, bacteria/Legionnaire's is not an issue.

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its the water sitting after it stops being heated up

John Mercier · 08-02-2022, 01:27 PM

After it has been heated to 140F... it does not matter if it cools down.

SAB1 · 08-02-2022, 02:50 PM

Agree. Been turning off and on for 20 plus years with no issues.

LIforrelaxin · 08-02-2022, 07:32 PM

With a well insulated tank, your heating costs should be relatively minimal. If you are going to shut off either a gas or electric hot water tank, you should plan to drain it as well.

I have an electric HW tank at my camp, the KW hours used when no one is around are negligible.... And it is in an uninsulated area of the camp... The tank is on from April to Nov. every year.... even in the cold months, the electricity usage is more from using the stove, and electric heaters, then it is from the HW tank....

I understand people are looking for ways to cut energy costs, but you really need to understand what the major contributors to your electric bill are:

- electric ranges and ovens...
- Refrigerators
- Clothes Dryers

Things are the things that are horribly inefficient, and used in such a way that promotes them into using the energy....

John Mercier · 08-02-2022, 10:48 PM

Water heaters tend to use more than refrigerators.

https://www.energystar.gov/products/...t_water_heater

It takes less energy to lower a cubic foot of air 1F than it does to raise a cubic foot of water 1F.

You can avoid cooking on the range or in the oven over the summer, and avoid the dryer... but the refrigerator will need to run.

In the winter, the excess heat loss is just contained in the space and offsets other heating source demands.

https://www.iso-ne.com/

If you watch the real time fuel mix... you can see why... NG is providing the majority of our electricity; and Europe is willing to pay about six times what we do for it.

08-02-2022, 08:49 AM	#1
FlyingScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tuftonboro and Sudbury, MA Posts: 2,446 Thanks: 1,337 Thanked 1,042 Times in 646 Posts	Gas water heater over the winter... SailinAway's recent thread brings a different question to mind-- Our NH house is used sporadically over the winter and we have kept the gas water heater on....Is it OK to turn off a gas hot water heater for weeks or months at a time, then turn it back on, wait a few hours for the water to heat up, and enjoy a shower as if nothing had happened? (I'd switch off/on both gas and electric simultaneously) Thanks

08-02-2022, 09:03 AM	#3
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,585 Thanks: 756 Thanked 356 Times in 268 Posts	I would not reccomend doing this as bacteria and other items will grow in the water and could contaminate. If you are going to do this then I would drain the tank, what you could do is lower the temp on the water so it cycles still. was advised but a plumber a long time ago, legioneers is a possibility __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

08-02-2022, 07:32 PM	#9
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,895 Thanks: 1,042 Thanked 897 Times in 529 Posts	With a well insulated tank, your heating costs should be relatively minimal. If you are going to shut off either a gas or electric hot water tank, you should plan to drain it as well. I have an electric HW tank at my camp, the KW hours used when no one is around are negligible.... And it is in an uninsulated area of the camp... The tank is on from April to Nov. every year.... even in the cold months, the electricity usage is more from using the stove, and electric heaters, then it is from the HW tank.... I understand people are looking for ways to cut energy costs, but you really need to understand what the major contributors to your electric bill are: - electric ranges and ovens... - Refrigerators - Clothes Dryers Things are the things that are horribly inefficient, and used in such a way that promotes them into using the energy.... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

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08-02-2022, 10:24 AM	#5
Woody38 Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 580 Thanks: 46 Thanked 110 Times in 81 Posts	We have been going to our house in California for the winter since 2010. At the house in Massachusetts, I shut the main water valve off and shut off the gas water heater. My plumber said it was not a problem. The only difficulty is starting the thing up when we return. The controls are almost on the floor and this poor body does not enjoy the deed. The plumber installed a Rhem heater, not my favorite. Should have purchased one myself. _______________________________ I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

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08-02-2022, 01:27 PM	#7
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,513 Thanks: 3 Thanked 621 Times in 512 Posts	After it has been heated to 140F... it does not matter if it cools down.

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08-02-2022, 02:50 PM	#8
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,251 Thanks: 193 Thanked 334 Times in 242 Posts	Agree. Been turning off and on for 20 plus years with no issues.

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08-02-2022, 10:48 PM	#10
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,513 Thanks: 3 Thanked 621 Times in 512 Posts	Water heaters tend to use more than refrigerators. https://www.energystar.gov/products/...t_water_heater It takes less energy to lower a cubic foot of air 1F than it does to raise a cubic foot of water 1F. You can avoid cooking on the range or in the oven over the summer, and avoid the dryer... but the refrigerator will need to run. In the winter, the excess heat loss is just contained in the space and offsets other heating source demands. https://www.iso-ne.com/ If you watch the real time fuel mix... you can see why... NG is providing the majority of our electricity; and Europe is willing to pay about six times what we do for it.