By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
In a recent column, you recommended that water heater thermostats be turned to the "vacation" setting during long periods of absence, rather than being turned off completely. I have a second home that is unoccupied most of the year and the electric water heater seems to have no visible thermostat. The only way to change the settings is to remove the cover plate on the heating element, and this doesn't appear to be easy. Instead, I've been turning off the circuit breaker when the house is not in use. What do your suggest? - Sylvia
Dear Sylvia,
The problem with turning off the water heater completely is that expansion and contraction of metal fittings occurs when the fixture is heated and cooled, and this can produce leaks. There is also the risk of freeze damage to the fixture if it is turned off during a very cold winter.
In recommending that water heater thermostats be turned to the vacation setting, I referred specifically to gas-fueled water heaters. Electric water heaters can also be turned to lower settings, but this, as you noted, requires removing the access covers at the heating elements. This is not as difficult is it might appear. A local plumber or handyman can show you how it is done.
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