I have natural gas water heater with an electric ignition. Everything says to turn it to VAC rather than to off when away for a while.
Why?
I turn the water off; does that affect the answer?
[OP]
Member
I have natural gas water heater with an electric ignition. Everything says to turn it to VAC rather than to off when away for a while.
Why?
I turn the water off; does that affect the answer?
Contributor
You do not mention if this is tankless or a water heater with a tank.Originally Posted by Wade Lippman
With a tank, even when the water is turned off the water heater will keep the water hot, using gas.
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
[OP]
Member
It has a tank. I mean turning the power switch on the heater to "off" rather than leaving it on and turning the temperature to "VAC".
Contributor
I am guessing that VAC keeps it on but at a minimal temperature. If you turn it off, it could take a while for the water in the tank to heat back up to what most might call a useable temperature.
Ken
So much to learn, so little time.....
Moderator
The vac setting keeps the pipes just warm enough to prevent freezing, turn it off if you’re not worried about frozen pipes. I would not turn the water off, you will likely stir the sludge up at the tank bottom when you turn it back on. BTDT.
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Contributor
On the other hand, with a HWH (electric) well past its warranty date and having had one leak before, I don't like the thought of the tank leaking unchecked for a week or more.
Contributor
I'm still using a pilot type WH. When we leave even for the weekend I pull the incoming water valve closed. I don't mess with the temp, I want hot water when I return...
Having been thru a washing machine and a water heater dumping all the water they were holding in the past, THAT'S why I shut the incoming water off. And while gone no hot water is used so nothing in the tank stirs up when the valve is re-opened.
I believe the main reason for the VAC setting is to run a flame just often enough to keep the spiders from building webs in the burners and feed tubes...
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Contributor
IMO, if one feels there is sludge on the bottom of their water heater tank, it is time to hook a hose up to the outlet valve and drain off some of the sludge.
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
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