Economize Your Energy Usage With the Water Heater Vacation Setting
Your water heater is most likely one of those out-of-sight, out-of-mind appliances in your home. However, this tucked-away appliance is one of the largest energy consumers in your house, and in today’s market, every cent counts.
If you are planning to be away for a few days or longer, it may be wise to consider switching your water heater to a vacation mode in order to save money and energy.
Keep reading to understand the different settings on your water heater and how they can help conserve energy and save your wallet.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Different Modes on Water Heaters?
- Should I Use Vacation Mode on a Water Heater?
- Choosing the Right Water Heater Setting: 3 Factors To Consider
- How To Turn on Vacation Mode
- Resuming Normal Use of Your Water Heater
- When To Consult a Professional
- Maximize Your Energy Savings With Help From the Professionals at All Pro Plumbing
What Are the Different Modes on Water Heaters?
There are various modes and temperature settings on a water heater that you can utilize for maximum efficiency. Since your water heater may be responsible for almost 20% of your energy costs, using the correct setting can be helpful!
Types of settings may include:
- Vacation mode
- Recommended setting when you’re away from your home for an extended time
- Minimizes energy use
- Maximizes savings
- Heat pump only mode
- Most efficient
- Uses heat pump technology to heat the water
- Electric-only mode
- High-performance setting
- Functions similarly to a high-efficiency electric water heater
- Less savings than other modes
- Hybrid standard mode
- Preserves energy savings
- Maintains the speed of the hot water demand
- Hybrid plus model
- Maximizes hot water production for high-demand needs
Should I Use Vacation Mode on a Water Heater?
Vacation mode is a setting available on many modern water heaters that lowers the unit’s temperature while you are away for an extended time.
For gas models, it typically drops the temperature to around 50°F, which prevents energy waste while keeping the system active. Electric models may have a digital control panel where you can select a vacation or eco-mode setting.
If your unit does not have this function, you can manually adjust the thermostat to the lowest setting, or turn the unit off completely if you are expecting to be away for more than a few days.
Minimize Energy Usage
Keeping your water heater running at full temperature when no one is using hot water only adds to your energy bill. By switching to vacation mode or lowering the temperature, you can reduce the overall energy consumption.
Prevent Damage
To prevent damage to your water heater and your plumbing system, it is important to keep water in the tank and pipes. Additionally, the water needs to be maintained at a minimal temperature to prevent the water from freezing, and prevent cracked or burst pipes.
Unfortunately, even when you complete all the preventive maintenance, plumbing issues can arise. They can strike at any time and often when you least expect them.
If you do encounter a plumbing issue in your Hillsboro, Oregon, area home or business, the team of experts at All Pro Plumbing can help you prevent permanent damage to your home or property.
Choosing the Right Water Heater Setting: 3 Factors To Consider
Determining the correct water heater setting, vacation mode or not, can be highly dependent on factors unique to your home and your family’s needs.
#1: Household Size and Hot Water Usage
Logically speaking, household size will greatly affect hot water usage. A young couple without any children will use significantly less amount of hot water than a household with three busy teenagers.
#2: Lifestyle
Obviously, some days may call for more hot water than other days, such as when you have visitors or when the temperatures grow colder.
Also, if you travel a number of days for work, or are absent from your home for other reasons for extended periods of time, vacation mode settings may be more relevant to you.
#3: Energy Usage Goals
Energy usage goals are initiatives to improve energy efficiency and increase the use of clean and renewable energy, along with promoting sustainability.
Installing energy-efficient water heaters can help reduce energy consumption, and utilizing vacation mode settings can also reduce energy usage.
How To Turn on Vacation Mode
There are several methods used by water heater manufacturers for how to place your water heater into a vacation setting. Many of the instructions include using a specific setting on the thermostat of the unit.
Generalized instructions may include:
- Locate the thermostat on the unit.
- Scroll through the menu to locate the vacation mode setting.
- Select vacation mode, and the unit should adjust automatically.
- If you cannot locate a specific vacation mode on your thermostat, you can manually set it by decreasing the temperature to “pilot” mode.
Resuming Normal Use of Your Water Heater
When you have returned home from your trip and need your water heater to return to normal function, what steps should you take?
The step-by-step procedure depends on which type of water heater you have in your home.
Gas Water Heaters
- Locate the temperature dial on your gas water heater.
- Adjust the temperature back to the desired setting.
- For most people, 120°F is a comfortable temperature.
- Wait for the water to return back to normal temperature.
- Depending on the size of the tank, heating of the water may take a few hours.
Electric Water Heaters
- Locate the circuit breaker for your electric water heater in your home’s electrical panel.
- Switch the circuit breaker for the water heater back to the “on” position.
- When the power returns to your water heater, the water will start to warm again.
- Allow time for the water to heat.
Tankless Water Heaters
- Check the user’s manual for the specific process for your water heater, as it can vary depending on your appliance.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to return the unit to normal operation.
When To Consult a Professional
The settings and modes on your water heater will vary based on the type of heater you have in your home. If you have further questions, check with your local professionals at All Pro Plumbing or the manufacturer’s guide for additional information.
Maximize Your Energy Savings With Help From the Professionals at All Pro Plumbing
When a plumbing need arises, you need prompt attention to protect your home from any further or future damage. The problem needs to be solved quickly and efficiently, along with preventive services to avoid it happening again.
All Pro Plumbing is just that — a team of professionals who offer a wide range of repairs to keep your plumbing system functional and safe.
For routine or emergency plumbing concerns in Hillsboro, Portland, and surrounding areas, All Pro Plumbing is here to help. Whether it is for routine and scheduled plumbing maintenance or to resolve unpredictable plumbing issues, you can count on our experienced team. Our goal is to fix the problem efficiently while keeping you informed every step of the way.
With over 20+ years of service and a large fleet of service vehicles, we are Portland’s most trusted plumbing service. Affordable, speedy, and professional work is our goal and our promise.
Contact us today for prompt and efficient service with your hot water heaters, routine maintenance, or emergency plumbing needs.
