Ever wonder if your water heater is burning energy while you’re asleep? The short answer: yes—but turning it off at night could cost you more in the long run. Let’s break down your water heater’s energy use and how to keep it as efficient as possible.
What Happens When You Turn Off Your Water Heater at Night?
When you turn off a conventional water heater, the water in the tank cools down. Once you turn it back on, your water heater has to work harder to reheat the water–using more energy, putting additional strain on the system, and taking more time (up to two hours). If you take a hot shower in the morning, that means waking up extra early just to turn the water heater back on.
Water heaters aren’t built to be powered on and off repeatedly. Doing this nightly can wear out parts faster, mess with the thermostat, and shorten the life of your system. Instead of saving you money, this could lead to costly repairs happening sooner than expected.
Additionally, letting the water cool can create an environment for bacteria to thrive, leading to potential health risks.
The Trade-Off
The energy a traditional water heater uses while sitting idle is called standby loss. However, modern water heaters are well-insulated and their overnight energy use tends to be very minimal. So while turning the unit off might save you a few cents, it’s usually not worth the hassle.
Better Ways to Save Energy
Rather than turning off your water heater, consider these energy-efficient alternatives:
- Set the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is plenty hot for daily use and saves energy.
- Insulate your water heater and pipes, which can help your system retain heat longer.
- Upgrade to a new water heater. Newer systems are built to be more efficient and can help you save money over time.
The Best Option? Go Tankless
If you really want to avoid wasting energy while you sleep, a tankless, or on-demand, water heater is the way to go. As the name implies, tankless heaters only heat water when you need it—there’s no tank to keep warm. This means no standby loss. Though the upfront cost is higher, over time the energy savings and convenience really add up.
Final Thoughts
If energy consumption is keeping you up at night, there are better ways to save than turning your water heater off. At North East Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing, we can help you determine energy-efficient options that fit your home and budget. From traditional to tankless—we’ve got the experience to help you find the right fit and rest easy in savings.
