What Is Vacation Mode On Your Water Heater?
Vacation mode is a water heater setting that enables water heater users to reduce a water heater’s energy consumption, while powering it with just enough energy to prevent frozen pipes. Luckily, you live in the Tampa region and should not have to worry about pipes freezing. If you’ll be away for more than three days, turn your water heater down or turn it off. For an electric water heater: Turn the temperature dial down or turn it off at thecircuit breaker panel. For a natural gas water heater: Turn it down to “low” or to “vacation mode.”
Why You Should Use Vacation Mode Settings
Water heating systems are the second biggest user of electricity in the home, accounting for an average of 18 percent of electricity costs, explains the U.S. Department of Energy. Water heaters are rated by energy factor, or EF; the higher the EF, the more efficient the heater. EF is a rating of the amount of hot water produced daily per unit of fuel. For electric heaters, EF ranges from 0.75 to 0.95. The amount of electricity used by an electric water heater depends on the size of the water tank, the amount of water used, the temperature setting of the water heater, and whether the tank is insulated.
Saves Energy And Is Good For The Environment
Most water heating systems use electricity, gas or other fuels to heat the water. The higher the thermostat readings are set, the greater the required water heating degree, and the more energy the heater consumes.
Using vacation mode settings (low-temperature readings), lowers the heater’s energy consumption. Low energy consumption translates to reduced depletion of the resources/ fuel that powers the water heater.
Reduces Utility Bills
When a water heater is set at a high degree/ temperature reading, it consumes much energy in order to heat the water to the desired temperature. Lowering the settings to vacation mode reduces the heater’s energy consumption, which, in turn, lowers utility bills.
Keeps Your Water Heater In Perfect Running Condition
Vacation modes settings reduce your water heater’s energy consumption and full blown operation, thereby reducing the risk of the water heater’s components wearing out. It also reduces corrosion and build-up of minerals inside your heaters plumbing. Again, since vacation mode settings do not completely cut off power supply to your heater, water inside the pipes is maintained at room temperature.
Vacation mode settings are lower-than-standard settings on a water heater. A water heater set at this setting consumes minimal energy, saving energy and the environment.
If you are ever in need of plumbing services in the Tampa area, call the professionals at Cass Plumbing. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
