Knowing how to turn off a water heater is essential for safety reasons and to keep your system running smoothly.
Most people might not know that there is a specific way to turn off your water heater but as a homeowner, it’s always best to know in case you ever need to turn it off.
Turning off a water heater can be done by homeowners by following a few steps. These steps include turning off the electricity to the heater, turning off the water, draining the water from the tank, and opening the relief valve.
If you’re looking for an in-depth explanation of how to turn off a water heater and live in McKinney or Sherman, Texas then you’re in the right place.
We’re going to go through the best practices for turning off your water heater, plus any other information you’d need about it.
How To Turn off a Water Heater
It’s essential to know the proper way to turn off a water heater because if done incorrectly, it could be dangerous and cause serious damage. Turning off a water heater isn’t difficult, but knowing what to do and in which order is key.
There are a few different components to the water heater that you’ll be adjusting and dealing with when turning it off:
- Power source
- Plumbing or water line
- Relief valve
When it comes to turning off a water heater here are a few important steps that you should do. It’s important to follow these steps to ensure that you’re turning off the water heater properly.
You can also check out this awesome video as well here:
- Disconnect From Power Source
The first step is to disconnect the water heater from the power source. This step is important and must be done before turning off the water, emptying the water, and opening its valve.
For an electric water heater turning off the power via a circuit breaker is how you will turn off the heater. Wherever your circuit breaker is stored, be sure to remember or label which breaker is connected to the water heater.
For a gas water heater, you’ll have to turn the thermostat to the off setting. The thermostat is located on the bottom of the water heater. If possible, turn the gas valve all the way off.
If you smell gas, make sure to leave the house immediately and call your local energy provider.
- Turn Off Water
Turning off the water in your water heater will prevent it from filling up with more water. This is essential if we’re draining the water heater.
There should be a valve indicating the water supply or plumbing line. Turning it off will cut the water off from the water heater.
- Drain Water Heater
Draining the water heater is essential in a lot of cases, most cases in fact. If you need to drain it then this is the time to do so. Hook up a hose to the water heater to help drain it with as little mess as possible.
- Turn Off Relief Valve
Turning off the relief valve will allow air to come into the water heater, which is usually found towards the top of the water heater. This is the last step before your water heater is ready for the next steps in this journey, such as a repair.
Following these steps can ensure that your water heater will be turned off properly and be ready for any repairs needed.
When Should I Turn Off My Water Heater?
There are a few good reasons to turn off your water heater, but ultimately you may never really have to turn it off. It is better to turn off your water heater when it is most essential.
Here are a few reasons you may turn off your water heater:
- Save money on your energy bill
- Going on vacation for longer than a month
- Water will for over 30 days
- Your water heater needs maintenance
The main reason that you would want to turn off your water heater is if it needs maintenance. Usually, a water heater maintenance company in Grayson or Collin County will need you to turn off the water heater before repairs.
If there are problems occurring with the water heater, plumbers will often advise turning the water heater off until the problem is resolved.
Another reason may want to turn off your water heater is if you’ve lost water supply to your residence and the water heater tank is expected to be empty for an extended period of time.
This can help save energy but also prevent the system from becoming damaged due to the lack of water being refilled.
Should I Turn Off My Water Heater Before Vacation?
Turning your water heater on and off can cause more harm than good if done excessively. In our professional opinion, it’s only necessary to turn off your water heater if you’re planning to be gone for longer than a month.
Most people turn off the water heater during vacations to save money, but ultimately there isn’t much money saved from doing this, so the hassle isn’t worth it unless you’ll be gone for an extended amount of time.
If you want to turn off your water heater before vacation then take a look at these things to consider before doing so:
- How long you’ll be gone
- If your water will be on during the time of your vacation
- If you’ll be saving money during that time
Does Turning Off My Water Heater Save Money?
If you’re looking to save some money on your bills then turning off your water heater can help you do this. However, if you’re not leaving it off for an extended amount of time, there will be little to no difference seen.
People usually like to turn off their water heater when:
- They’re sleeping
- They’re going on vacation
- When their water isn’t running
If you’re going on vacation or looking to turn off your water heater for about a month or more then you can expect to save about 10% on your bill during that time.
So technically yes it does save money, but be careful about how much you turn on and off your water heater to ensure it’s working fine and that there’s not too much stress being put on the machine.
Do You Have to Turn off the Water Heater if You Turn off the Water?
You don’t necessarily have to turn off your water heart if your water is off, but if your tank is empty due to lack of water then it’s important to turn it off. If there is no water in the tank then this can cause a build-up of pressure which could be dangerous.
If you’re going to be out of water for a long period of time then you can consider turning off your water heater, however, if the timing won’t be too long then you can leave it running.
Here’s how you can determine if you need to turn off your water heater:
- How long your water will be off
- If a professional tells you to
- If your water won’t be running for longer than 30 days
If you’re unsure if you should turn off your water heater in your particular situation then you can contact a water heating company in McKinney, Texas to get information about your particular situation.
Our professionals located in cities such as McKinney, Texas, and Sherman, Texas can help determine what the best course of action is when it comes to turning on and off your water heater, especially when there’s a lack of water.
Can a Water Heater Explode if Turned Off?
One fear from people is that the water heater will explode if turned off. Realistically, yes, it can explode, but that’s not necessarily a concern that should be had on an everyday basis.
As long as you’re turning off the water heater properly then you should not have to worry about this happening.
Here are some warning signs to watch out for that can indicate a problem:
- Popping noises
- Bad odors
- Brown water
These signs don’t necessarily mean your system will explode, but it’s best to talk to a professional if you notice any of these signs.
Remember to follow our steps closely to ensure that you’re turning off the water heater properly. Again, if you aren’t sure of what to do then you can contact a company in Grayson or Collin County, Texas to have them walk you through the process.
Should I Turn My Water Heater off at Night?
It’s not necessary to turn off your water heater at night. Although it can save you money, with this method, you’d only save about $2 a month.
With that being said, we don’t think it’s completely necessary to go through the steps of turning off and on your water heater every single night. Plus, turning it on and off constantly can cause stress for the system.
Here are some other times that you may want to turn off your water heater though:
- If you’re going on a long vacation
- If you’re not planning on using hot water for an extended amount of time
- If you’re getting maintenance done
- If your water is turned off
How to Turn On a Water Heater Properly
If you’ve figured out how to properly turn off your water heater, then it’s compelling to know how to turn it back on. Of course, this process will vary based on if it is an electric or a gas water heater.
Electric Water Heater
If you have an electric water heater then these steps can help you to turn it back on.
- Turn on the water or plumbing line to refill the water heater tank.
- Flip the circuit breaker switch for the water heater to turn the power back on. It’s important to remember that it can take 30 mins to a couple hours to heat back up.
- Wait for your system to heat back up and check the water temperature
Gas Water Heater
Here are the step to follow if you have a gas water heater:
- Turn on the water supply to refill the water heater tank with water.
- Turn the relief valve to “OFF”.
- Open the pilot light cover and locate the burner
- Turn the knob to “pilot” and light the pilot. Be sure to release the knob slowly afterwards to ensure it stays lit.
- Turn the gas back on and check for hot water.
Here are some things to remember when it comes to turning your water heater back on:
- It can take time for the water heater to heat the water up.
- Read directions thoroughly and follow the steps in order.
- If you have questions a professional in the McKinney, Texas area can help walk you through the process.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately figuring out how to turn off a water heater is reliant on following these steps fully to ensure that the system runs properly. Remember that turning off your water heater isn’t always necessary or recommended, so be sure to contact a professional to find out if it is.
