Water heater thermostat question

Hello Harlen, Mike d here, in my opinion, yes you'll wear out the temp. control switch on your heater, why not use a timer (electric) to turn your heater on when home off when away, & leave temp. switch on heater set?.

Do you have a source for natural gas timers ?

Bill

That's not good practice; too much wear on the control. The amount of gas saved this way will be miniscule in any event.

Jim

Why not just turn it off--shut off the gas using the valve at the heater. It's a cinch to relight. I also shut off the water to the heater; who needs a failure while you're away? MLD

Look into electronic ignition for the unit. Solves at lot of issues. Besides your pilot light is 1/3 of the bill.

Do you know for a fact that the water heater turns on when not in use? If so insulate it with a fiberglass or similar blanket. Modern water heaters retain heat very well, Observe it some day when you are home and not using hot water to see whether it fires.

I never thought about the shut off valve on the control box. I could turn it to Pilot.

You br> > I have a natural gas water heater and I have a question

uhh, beans once a day?

Hi Bill, Mike D, here, I see gas operates the pilot flame, my error. Can't turn the gas on/off either, hmm, why not leave setting on low the entire time? Mike D

Hi Bill, just noticed your email, Berkshire Bill had a place in Craryville (Copeque lake), well a friend of mine did a few yrs. back. Mike D

he has a gas heater.. how do you attach an electric timer to one????

I only jumped in to find if somebody had a timer... I'm not the original poster. I personally leave my gas water heater alone (sometimes for days at a time) and as a rule don't mess with the temperature.

Bill