Weird idea- turning gas water heater on and off daily (house, transfer)

[pipa]

Hi all,
I was just thinking about saving some gas. After taking shower in the morning, I turn my gas water heater on "vacation" setting and then I go to my work. Before going to sleep, I turn on my water heater to "normal" setting. Is that a good idea (if I don't forget to turn it on at night)? or it may cause some problems in the functioning of gas water heater.

Thanks!!

[Dean Trails]

Originally Posted by pipa

Hi all,
I was just thinking about saving some gas. After taking shower in the morning, I turn my gas water heater on "vacation" setting and then I go to my work. Before going to sleep, I turn on my water heater to "normal" setting. Is that a good idea (if I don't forget to turn it on at night)? or it may cause some problems in the functioning of gas water heater.

Thanks!!

Better Idea- Install a tankless waterheater. It is a little more money up front but it will save you energy in the log run. You will get literally instant hot water when you turn on the faucet. And you don't have to replace the waterheater tanks every 7 years or so.

[Arizona Mike]

Can I add a question? We have a gas fireplace. We rarely turn it on (it's expensive and not very efficient), but there's a pilot flame burning continuously, including all through the summer months. Is there a safe way to turn it off to save energy/$$$???

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Arizona Mike

Can I add a question? We have a gas fireplace. We rarely turn it on (it's expensive and not very efficient), but there's a pilot flame burning continuously, including all through the summer months. Is there a safe way to turn it off to save energy/$$$???

Absolutely, Mike . . . Pilot Lights are major energy hogs.

[yukon]

I turn my water heater down (to vacation) in the day time (it's gas). So far, no problems and the landlord liked the idea so much he does his now that way too.

[KatrynS]

Originally Posted by Arizona Mike

Can I add a question? We have a gas fireplace. We rarely turn it on (it's expensive and not very efficient), but there's a pilot flame burning continuously, including all through the summer months. Is there a safe way to turn it off to save energy/$$$???

Usually all you have to do is find the valve to the fireplace (sometimes under the front "skirt" or a key-like turn thing -- depends on the model) and turn it OFF. You know you've got the right one when the pilot light goes out. Knowing where the gas-off valve for ANY appliance is a good idea, anyways.

Make sure you know how to turn the pilot light back ON (check manual). We live up N, but always turn the pilot light off of our furnace over the summer, and the fireplace is off ever since it burned our kid (very slight on a finger, but man you know it's wasting gas when the pilot light makes the glass front hot enough to burn!).

For safety, when we're out of town for more than a couple days we basically turn the gas off to the house (water heater, etc) and turn the water off to the water heater and fridge (the hose to the fridge came loose one night and made quite a mess, but at least we were home!).

[Vinny536]

what does your gas bill look like?

I would think the heater would burn a lot to get the water back up to temperature. It's easier to maintain heat than it is to create it.

[JH6]

I'd bet that you are spending more on gas by turning it on and off every day, than you would by just keeping it at a consistent temperature.

Unless you are going to be on vacation, just leave it at the normal warm setting.

[kdog]

Agree with the two previous posts. The best thing you can do is make sure your water heater has a good insulation wrap on it.

[KatrynS]

Originally Posted by 61scout80

what does your gas bill look like?

I would think the heater would burn a lot to get the water back up to temperature. It's easier to maintain heat than it is to create it.

Yes, the water heater will run extra to get the water back up to temp, but over the course of the day it will have used LESS energy than if you'd left it at the higher set temp. Think of it this way -- cooler water (during the day) loses less heat than warmer water.

The same holds for setting your house thermostat different when you are away from home and overnight to use less heat and/or AC. Sure, it runs like the dickens when it switches back on, but overall you've saved energy/money. Heat transfer is proportional to the temperature difference between the environment (outside) and the house (except for the solar heat load which is basically independent).

Definitely check your insulation. Also, regular flushing of the water heater keeps it running more efficiently -- although don't bother flushing a 7yo WH for the first time -- flushing the build up of gunk might do it in.

Another wrinkle would be if you pay different rates at different times of days -- wouldn't want to "be catching up" on when the rates were higher.

So you'd definitely be saving some energy, but whether it is enough to be worthwhile is another question!