Is it OK to turn off a hot water heater?

Question Posted on The Quora Platform.

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I would say it is not a good practice.

Because by turning it on and off, you are more susceptible to either messing the Striker up or something else now; if it’s the older type, I would still not recommend it. (By that, I mean when you light it manually.)

I have had several customers when turning off the water heater; it did not relight because either the striker or the gas valve was not working.

Although I guess if you have to, Then sure do it; by that, I mean if you have a Propane gas water heater. It is not recommended, though.

And the other reason is that you must drain the water heater for sediment build-up. Then, by all means, turn the water heater off.

You know, I guess there is one other reason if you’re working around the heater, but for that, you can just place it on the pilot light only.

BUT ONLY THE PILOT LIGHT remains lit. The burner will not be turning on every once in a while,  every 20 minutes or so, sometimes longer, depending on where the setting for the water heater is set.

I hope this Helps.

American Plumbing Co.
422 21st ST. San Diego, CA.
92102