Electric water heater: OK to turn it off?

LikeLakes · 08-02-2022, 11:58 PM

Thanks for that explanation John. I guess I get it with the complete shut down, but multiple people have talked about switches and timers that run the heater for a period of time each day and I guess I question the real savings of that. I admit I get mixed up between this thread and the "substantially reduce" thread so maybe it was mentioned in the other thread.

John Mercier · 08-03-2022, 08:21 AM

Timers work in a different way.

It basically takes the same amount of energy to heat X number of gallons quickly, but at various times of the day, using the tankless systems... as it does to heat the same number of gallons slowly using the tank systems.

The tanks systems must maintain the temp through extra standby usage; but if used all at once the difference between tank and tankless would be meaningless.

The tankless version just allows more flexibility in the timing of the use.
While the timer tank version has to be used when ready and not allowed to set.

thinkxingu · 08-03-2022, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LikeLakes

Thanks for that explanation John. I guess I get it with the complete shut down, but multiple people have talked about switches and timers that run the heater for a period of time each day and I guess I question the real savings of that. I admit I get mixed up between this thread and the "substantially reduce" thread so maybe it was mentioned in the other thread.

I was thinking the same as you initially, but it would be interesting to know how long the tank would have to be off to break even and save money.

Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

08-02-2022, 11:58 PM	#1
LikeLakes Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 339 Thanks: 50 Thanked 92 Times in 66 Posts	Thanks for that explanation John. I guess I get it with the complete shut down, but multiple people have talked about switches and timers that run the heater for a period of time each day and I guess I question the real savings of that. I admit I get mixed up between this thread and the "substantially reduce" thread so maybe it was mentioned in the other thread.

08-03-2022, 08:21 AM	#2
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,535 Thanks: 3 Thanked 630 Times in 518 Posts	Timers work in a different way. It basically takes the same amount of energy to heat X number of gallons quickly, but at various times of the day, using the tankless systems... as it does to heat the same number of gallons slowly using the tank systems. The tanks systems must maintain the temp through extra standby usage; but if used all at once the difference between tank and tankless would be meaningless. The tankless version just allows more flexibility in the timing of the use. While the timer tank version has to be used when ready and not allowed to set.