Todd's Blog

Does My Water Heater Have a Vacation Mode?

Its that time of year with summer on the horizon, warming temperatures and vacations scheduled. While it is an exciting time to get back out in the world and take those long overdue vacations we have all been meaning to take, you may want to take a moment to make sure all of your home services have been taken care of before heading out.

While your water heater is one of those home appliances that is best to check prior to leaving for vacation, here’s what you can do to conserve that hot water in your home prior to enjoying some well deserved time off.

First things first: what is “vacation mode?”

Vacation mode is a setting that allows homes to conserve energy and hot water while the homeowners are away an extended period of time, hence the term “vacation.” This is becoming a much more frequent module that many water heater companies are outfitting their products with. By setting one’s water heater to “vacation mode,” allows the boiler to run at a lower than normal temperature as a means to consolidate on energy. Most water heater manufacturers set their vacation mode to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which is just enough to prevent freezing in colder climates.

How do I use my water heater’s vacation mode?

How to use the vacation mode on your water heater will ultimately vary based on the make and model of your water heater. Certain water heater providers such as Rheem and Bradford White have theirs built into most of their products in an easy-to-understand way by simply setting it to turn off while away and back to normal when you return home.

For older water heaters, this might entail a little creativity. Most models without a vacation setting will have some form of dial in order to set the temperature manually. In doing this, it is pertinent to remember to turn it back upon returning.

Why should I use my water heater’s vacation mode settings?

Long story short, to save money. In general, heating water consumes a large amount of energy and that is even more so homeowners are not home to reap the benefits of the energy-intensive process. While some homeowners are in a more financially reserved position, it is truly beneficial to save the most amount of money as possible on any and all of your plumbing and water heater needs.

If you find that you need any water heater repairs, maintenance, replacement or installations, be sure to give Todd’s Water Heater Repair a call today! Our qualified team of professionals has years of expertise and experience that can assist with all of your water heater needs and advise you on your vacation mode setting.

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