# Is it safe to turn off electric water heater? - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/is-it-safe-to-turn-off-electric-water-heater/ - Published: 2023-10-24 - Author: Lillie Gabler - Categories: [Tips](https://33rdsquare.com/category/home/tips/) --- Deciding whether to turn off your electric water heater can be confusing. As a home improvement expert who has helped countless homeowners make the best decisions for their homes, I‘m here to provide a comprehensive guide to help you understand if, when, and how to safely shut down your electric water heating system. ## Reasons You May Want to Power Down There are several situations where turning off your electric water heater could be beneficial: ### Going on Vacation If you‘re going away for an extended time, shutting down your water heater can offer energy savings. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates a standard 50-gallon electric heater costs $4 to $5 per month to operate. Unplugging it for 2 weeks could save around $2 on your utility bill. Not huge savings, but every little bit helps! ### Performing Maintenance or Repairs Shutting off power and water allows you to safely service or make upgrades to your water heater. I always recommend my clients shut down their units before I do any work on them. No electricity = no risk of shocks. No water = no leaks or flooding. It‘s a necessary safety step. ### Emergency Leak or Flood If you experience a burst pipe, overflow, or corrosion leak, immediately power down and turn off the water to your water heater to prevent further damage. The faster you can stop the water flow, the better chance you have for minimizing repairs. ### Electricity Costs Spiking Electric rates fluctuate based on demand and other factors. If your bill skyrockets one month, consider intermittently shutting off the water heater to save power during peak rate periods. You can maintain hot water for when you need it but avoid constantly heating when cost is high. ### Safety Concerns In very rare cases, a malfunctioning water heater could potentially cause safety issues. If you notice any warning signs like strange smells or noises, it‘s best to shut down the unit and have it inspected by a professional before using it again. Safety first! ## Reasons You May Want to Leave It On While the reasons to turn off your water heater may be compelling, there are also a few good arguments for leaving it switched on: ### Frequent Use If your home utilizes hot water regularly throughout the day, the energy required to reheat a cold tank each time may exceed the savings of powering down occasionally. For homes with multiple occupants, like families, the convenience may be worth the cost. ### Preventing Frozen Pipes In cold weather, keeping your water heater on maintains a warm water supply which makes it unlikely that pipes will freeze. This can prevent major problems and damage. If shutting down during winter, be sure to drain all water so there‘s no risk of freezing. ### Roommates or Family Need Hot Water If others are using your home while you‘re away, they‘ll have no access to hot water if you power off the heater. Discuss with roommates or family first before shutting down so everyone has hot water as needed. So in summary, the decision depends on your specific situation. But now let‘s get into the details on how to safely shut down your electric water heating system. ## How to Power Off an Electric Water Heater 1. **Turn off the electricity to the unit** – Locate the circuit breaker or screw-in fuse powering the water heater and switch it to the off position. This ensures no current can reach the device. 2. **Shut off the water valves** – Find the cold water inlet valve near the tank and turn it clockwise to the closed position. This stops new water from entering. 3. **Open a hot water faucet** – Turn on a hot water tap in your home to allow pressure to release and remaining water in pipes to drain out. 4. **Connect a hose and drain the tank** – Attach a garden hose to the tank drain valve at the base and route it to a floor drain or outside area. Open the valve to empty all water from the tank. 5. **Open the pressure relief valve** – There is usually a pressure relief valve near the top of the tank. Open this to release any remaining pressure inside the tank. 6. **Disconnect water lines** – With the tank fully drained, detach any water line connectors from the water heater inlet and outlet. Once complete, the tank should be empty of water, the power disconnected, and water lines detached. It is now safe to service, repair, or leave off for an extended time. When you‘re ready to startup again, simply reverse the steps. Refill the tank, reconnect water lines, close valves, and switch the power back on. Then allow time for the water to reheat before use. ### Key Safety Tips - Consult your instruction manual for model-specific guidance. - Allow time for a recently active unit to fully cool before draining to avoid scalds. - Inspect valves and connections for leaks and repair any issues before refilling. - Hire a professional if you are uncomfortable with any part of the process. - Consider installing an expansion tank to handle pressure changes during shutdowns. ## What to Expect When Powered Down Here are some effects and considerations when you shut off your electric water heater: - **No hot water** – Once powered off, no new hot water will be available until turned back on. - **Sediment settling** – Particles in the tank water can settle at the bottom when not heated. Flush the tank after restarting. - **Reheating time** – Depending on tank size, it may take several hours to reheat all water after being off. Plan ahead! - **Tank corrosion** – Long-term shutdowns over 6 months may cause internal corrosion without maintenance. - **Check appliances** – Ensure any linked equipment like furnaces are not dependent on the hot water supply. ### Average Electric Water Heater Recovery Time | Tank Size | Recovery Time | | --- | --- | | 30 gallons | 90 minutes | | 40 gallons | 2 hours | | 50 gallons | 3 hours | | 60 gallons | 4 hours | | 80 gallons | 5+ hours | _Recovery time is how long it takes to reheat the full tank of water._ As you can see, the larger the tank, the longer it will take to get back up to temperature. Prepare for a period of limited hot water when starting back up. ## Maintaining While Off For long-term shut downs over 30 days, I recommend the following maintenance steps to prevent tank corrosion and sediment buildup: - Drain and refill tank monthly to refresh water - Every 3 months, flush tank and lines with descaling solution - Check anode rods and replace if worn down - Inspect interior glass lining for signs of corrosion - If drained for winter, replace with an RV antifreeze Keeping the tank maintained in long shut downs allows it to restart quicker when needed. ## Alternative to Turning Off – Use a Timer Rather than completely shutting down, a programmable timer can help save energy by running the water heater only during certain blocks of time. Here are some timer options to consider: - **Mechanical Outlet Timer** – An inexpensive dial timer ($10) that plugs into the electrical outlet to run the heater on a schedule. Easy to set and use. - **Wifi Smart Plug** – Allows control from your phone to turn on/off remotely ($40). Useful while traveling. - **Built-In Control Board** – More advanced units have programmable control boards allowing custom on/off settings. Using a timer maintains access to hot water but only heats when truly needed, saving electricity. ## In Closing I hope this guide gives you confidence on whether and how to safely turn off your electric water heater. While shutting down takes a bit of planning, it can provide energy savings and needed safety for repairs. With some preparation for the effects, and by following proper procedures, you can avoid issues and enjoy the benefits of powering down when needed. Let me know if you have any other questions! --- Source: [Is it safe to turn off electric water heater?](https://33rdsquare.com/is-it-safe-to-turn-off-electric-water-heater/)