hot water heater

[brother chris]

I have just installed a 6gallon electric water heater to my travel trailer and was wondering if it is cheaper to just leave it plugged in and turned on, or to turn it off in the morning and turn it back on when I get home(or turning it on whenever I need hot water). <br />I am just trying to save some money and not sure if this will help or not.<br />Thanks.<br />B.C.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: hot water heater

Why would you want to heat water thats already hot? <br /><br />I've often wondered the same thing about water heaters and house heaters/coolers. I would imigine it depends on how well insulated it is. My thinking is that if its just during the day you wont save much, if any.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: hot water heater

I invested $35 on a 30amp timer for my water heater in my home. Dropped my electric by $35 per month. I have it set to come on for 2 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening. So now it only runs for 6 of the 24 hours a day. <br /><br />I have heard it shortens element life, but with the savings, I can buy a new element every month. Of course it depends on how often you need hot water for your cycle times. Even early in the afternoon, my water is still hot from the morning heating period. My tank is a 60 gallon heater.<br /><br />For your small heater, a timer that can handle 20 amp load should work. Get the type that you can add extra settings to. A good brand name I use is Paragon. Grainger carries them.

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: hot water heater

I use a 6 gallon up at my little cabin. Since I only use on the weekend I usually just leave it off when gone and when at the cabin leave it on. I do unplug sometimes and use the outlet for other things as if need again it does not take but 20 mins. to get it hot again. As to element life I have not found that a problem and the timer that ss mayfloat is a good alternative if you don't trust yourself to plug back in when you get home.

 

[brother chris]

Re: hot water heater

thanks fellas,<br />I was thinking about buying a timer for it. Sounds like it will work. Not sure how much money I will save with just a little 6 gallon tank, but a timer is not too much money to invest for it. <br />Thanks again. <br />B.C.

 

[Grant S]

Re: hot water heater

If it has a thermostat it will be turned off when up to temperature anyway, and only come back on when the water temp drops.

 

[brother chris]

Re: hot water heater

Looks like I have to put in another breaker in the fuse box. <br />I cannot have a block heater, fridge, TV, PS2 and a water heater plugged into a power bar without blowing a breaker.<br />I am not sure what I am doing wrong here

 

[KRS]

Re: hot water heater

Brother Chris... go to your local plumbing/hardware store. Price out "on-demand" water heater. Before you say "ouch... pricey", I just had a salesman come to me, and he sells small units that run on 110V for less than $200. I don't recall the brand name right now, sorry. The electric ones don't need to be vented and the small ones can run on 110V. Check their "flow rate" and match that to your usage. If your shower is lower than the rating, than you are good to go. The only concern I had when reviewing the material was a dishwasher and clotheswasher, their usage may surpass the smaller units flow, maybe.<br /><br />Good luck. If you wrap that tank heater in "pink" insulation, it will help retain heat in the unit.