How to turn off your water heater

Have you ever turned off your water heater? You may not have had any reason to, and that’s a good thing. However, if a disaster strikes or an old water heater gives out, it’s important to know how to safely turn off your water heater to mitigate further damage. At FLAME Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electrical, we want you to have the best home knowledge and access to professional help the minute you need it. With that being said, let’s dive into how to properly turn off a water heater and the reasons why you should or not. 

When Should You Turn off Your Water Heater?

Some homeowners believe that there are benefits to turning off a water heater, such as saving money on gas or electric bills. However, you really shouldn’t turn off your water heater unless there are serious issues with it, such as: 

• Leaks or Irregular Draining
• Gas Smells
• Hissing Sounds

If your main water supply line is off for a long period, then you would also want to turn off your water heater. If you’re expecting to install, repair, or replace your water heater, then either you or the technician can turn it off before performing the service needed. There are very few cases in which a water heater needs to be turned off.  If you’re unsure if your water heater needs to be turned off based on your situation, call a FLAME plumber for assistance. 

When Should You NOT Turn off Your Water Heater?

If there aren’t any issues with your water heater, it’s best to keep it running. Turning off a water heater when it’s not in use will not save you much money on your energy bills—in fact, it can cause more harm than good. Turning on and off your water heater puts extra strain on it, causing damages and malfunctions from the additional wear and tear. Furthermore, when you turn off your water heater in between uses, it can take about an hour to heat enough water for an enjoyable shower—which is unfortunate if you’re in a rush and don’t have the time. 

How To Turn off a Traditional Water Heater 

If you believe you need to turn off your water heater, the first step is to always call a professional to assess the issue at hand since they are experienced in the proper safety measures. If they say it’s okay to turn off the water heater, you can do so. It doesn’t take an expert to turn off a water heater, and if you’re noticing serious issues like a gas smell or excessive leaking, then we recommend turning off your water heater as soon as possible. If you’re confident in your ability, here are the steps: 

1. Turn off Gas or Electricity

If you have a gas water heater, find the temperature dial (thermostat) on top of the heater and switch it to the OFF position. 

For an electric water heater, go to your home’s circuit breaker box and turn off the electricity line to your water heater. 

2. Turn Water Off

Turn off your main water supply by locating the water valve near the top of the water heater and turning it as far as you can clockwise, or “Off.” 

3. Drain Water Heater

Locate the drain valve at the bottom of your water heater’s tank. Attach a hose to the drain valve and run the other end of the hose to somewhere where hot water can safely be drained. 

4. Open Relief Valve

Open one of the hot water faucets in your home to let air into the tank so that the hot water can begin being drained. Flip the handle of the relief valve so that it is sticking straight up.

How To Turn off Tankless Water Heaters

Similar to traditional water heaters, tankless water heaters follow the same steps, except they don’t require draining because they’re tankless.   

1. Turn off Gas or Electricity

If you have a gas water heater, go to your home’s breaker box and switch off the electricity line to the control panel of your unit. With a gas heater, you will also need to turn off the gas supply valve and your home’s main gas supply for safety measures. 

For an electric water heater, go to your home’s circuit breaker box and turn off the electricity line to your water heater. 

2. Turn off the Water Supply Valve

Turn off your main water supply by locating the water valve near the top of the water heater and turning it as far as you can clockwise, or “Off.” 

What Is VAC Mode?

If you’re not supposed to turn off your water heater, what do you do when you take extended vacations or know a house is going to be vacant for a long time? You turn the water heater to “VAC mode,” otherwise known as “vacation mode.” Turning your water heater to VAC mode allows the heater to work less while you’re away, but you won’t experience overload when you return. A water heater usually keeps water temps at around 120 degrees—but lowers them to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit in VAC mode. If your water heater doesn’t have VAC mode, you can just set the temperature level at 50% and get the same results.  

How Can You Tell a Water Heater Is Off?

You can tell your water heater is off by going to a faucet in your home and running your hand under the water set to hot. If there is only cold water running, then your water heater is off. If you notice warm or hot water running after a couple of minutes, then your water heater is on. In addition to this test, you can listen closely to your water heater and see if it sounds like it’s on—if it’s completely silent, it’s most likely off. 

How Often Should You Drain a Water Heater?

It’s recommended by professionals to have your water heater drained at least twice a year.  Draining a water heater prevents sediment buildup, improves performance, and increases its lifespan. If you’re confident in your plumbing abilities and want to drain your water heater yourself, you MUST turn it off first to avoid burning or electrocuting yourself. If you’re unsure about draining and turning off your water heater, rest assured there are local professionals who can help—call FLAME Heating, Plumbing, and Electrical for any water heater maintenance or repair services. 

Causes of Water Heater Leaks

It rarely happens, but if you ever find a leak in your water heater, it’s best to turn it off to minimize the damage. Here are some potential causes for a leaking water heater:

• Loose drain valve
• Damaged tank
• Too much pressure
• Improper drainage
• Old unit

Call FLAME Today for Water Heater Services 

If your water heater is making strange noises, overheating, smelling like gas, or doing anything out of the ordinary, then follow our steps to turn it off and call a professional to assess and diagnose the problem. The longer you leave a problem unattended, the more likely it gets worse. Don’t be left with cold water or pay for drastic repairs down the road—get your water heater regularly maintained and address problems as soon as you notice them. 

Call a professional plumber from FLAME Heating and Cooling at (888) 234-2340.