Comments on: Is it efficient to turn a propane heated water heater off and on prior to use? http://www.tanklesshotwaterheater.biz/is-it-efficient-to-turn-a-propane-heated-water-heater-off-and-on-prior-to-use.php Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:58:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dean C http://www.tanklesshotwaterheater.biz/is-it-efficient-to-turn-a-propane-heated-water-heater-off-and-on-prior-to-use.php/comment-page-1#comment-246 Dean C Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:57:42 +0000 http://www.tanklesshotwaterheater.biz/is-it-efficient-to-turn-a-propane-heated-water-heater-off-and-on-prior-to-use.php#comment-246 If you aren't using it everyday or perhaps as little as once a day, say when you come home for dinner, baths and such, then just turn it down to the lowest setting. That way it wont take near as much energy to get it to temp. IF you go several days without using it, then turn the thermostat to the Vacation setting and back on when you arrive. The average pilot is less than 1000 BTU's and there are nearly 100,000 BTU's in a gallon of propane. So you are looking at close to 100 hours to burn a gallon as opposed to it kicking on several times a day when not in use. If you aren’t using it everyday or perhaps as little as once a day, say when you come home for dinner, baths and such, then just turn it down to the lowest setting. That way it wont take near as much energy to get it to temp.
IF you go several days without using it, then turn the thermostat to the Vacation setting and back on when you arrive.

The average pilot is less than 1000 BTU’s and there are nearly 100,000 BTU’s in a gallon of propane. So you are looking at close to 100 hours to burn a gallon as opposed to it kicking on several times a day when not in use.

]]> By: Jim W http://www.tanklesshotwaterheater.biz/is-it-efficient-to-turn-a-propane-heated-water-heater-off-and-on-prior-to-use.php/comment-page-1#comment-247 Jim W Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:57:42 +0000 http://www.tanklesshotwaterheater.biz/is-it-efficient-to-turn-a-propane-heated-water-heater-off-and-on-prior-to-use.php#comment-247 The thermostat in the water heater is designed to be the most efficient way to heat the water for your shower and your household needs. If you are going to be away for several days, turn the thermostat to "pilot" position and remember to turn it back on a day before you need to shower. The thermostat in the water heater is designed to be the most efficient way to heat the water for your shower and your household needs. If you are going to be away for several days, turn the thermostat to "pilot" position and remember to turn it back on a day before you need to shower.

]]> By: James M http://www.tanklesshotwaterheater.biz/is-it-efficient-to-turn-a-propane-heated-water-heater-off-and-on-prior-to-use.php/comment-page-1#comment-248 James M Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:57:42 +0000 http://www.tanklesshotwaterheater.biz/is-it-efficient-to-turn-a-propane-heated-water-heater-off-and-on-prior-to-use.php#comment-248 Unfortunately for you, the loss of heat is thru the vent stack and radiation from a hot tank to surroundings in the house. All of those other things like shut down of the gas supply simply wouldn't do anything. However, a vent damper installed right in the stack of the water heater will well be worth the money, and in particular if you install it yourself. That will prevent air drawing thru the tank and cooling the water down from the 110F setting and dragging that heat up the stack and out into the atmosphere. If you are going to replace this tank, install the smallest tank possible, and do install a thermally activated vent damper that will save you the most money in propane costs. Unfortunately for you, the loss of heat is thru the vent stack and radiation from a hot tank to surroundings in the house.

All of those other things like shut down of the gas supply simply wouldn’t do anything.

However, a vent damper installed right in the stack of the water heater will well be worth the money, and in particular if you install it yourself. That will prevent air drawing thru the tank and cooling the water down from the 110F setting and dragging that heat up the stack and out into the atmosphere.

If you are going to replace this tank, install the smallest tank possible, and do install a thermally activated vent damper that will save you the most money in propane costs.

]]> By: Sweet July http://www.tanklesshotwaterheater.biz/is-it-efficient-to-turn-a-propane-heated-water-heater-off-and-on-prior-to-use.php/comment-page-1#comment-249 Sweet July Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:57:42 +0000 http://www.tanklesshotwaterheater.biz/is-it-efficient-to-turn-a-propane-heated-water-heater-off-and-on-prior-to-use.php#comment-249 The pilot doesn't use enough gas to be significant. If you use hot water only once a day I would leave it on, but install a vent damper, and put a fiberglass coat on the whole water heater. Sears sells both the vent dampers and the insulation coat kit. Both of these will pay for themselves in a short time. The insulation kit is especially effective, it can be installed in 10 minutes and requires no tools. Best of luck to you. The pilot doesn’t use enough gas to be significant. If you use hot water only once a day I would leave it on, but install a vent damper, and put a fiberglass coat on the whole water heater.

Sears sells both the vent dampers and the insulation coat kit. Both of these will pay for themselves in a short time. The insulation kit is especially effective, it can be installed in 10 minutes and requires no tools.

Best of luck to you.

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