Myth: Turning Off The Tank Saves Money & Energy

“I turn off my electric hot water heater when I go away for the weekend (or overnight) to save money.”

Myth #6: Turning off your water heater your water heater during short periods will save money.

This myth concerns health and safety. Of course you can turn your heater down or off while you are away for an extended period of time, but it should not be turned off for short periods such as overnight.

Important: Water heaters are normally set to between 49° C (120° F) to 60° C (140° F). If your water heater is turned above 140° F and your water is only slightly hot, this is a sign that your water heater needs repair or replacement. Water that is over 140° F can scald and cause burn injuries in less than 5.0 seconds, and so your tank should safely provide hot water at 120° F.

In Canada there are guidelines for water heaters. It is recommended to keep your hot water at a constant temperature to prevent bacterial growth and to ensure that you won’t run out of hot water.