Before a trip, many homeowners go through the house turning things down or off to save energy, and the water heater often makes that list. Whether adjusting it actually makes sense depends heavily on what type of water heater you have.
Storage Tank Water Heaters
A traditional tank water heater keeps a large volume of water hot around the clock, whether you’re using it or not. This standby heat loss is exactly why lowering the thermostat while you’re away for more than a few days can meaningfully reduce energy use. Most tanks have a “vacation” or low-temperature setting; using it, rather than turning the unit off completely, avoids the risk of bacterial growth in water that sits at room temperature for too long.
- Lower to the vacation setting or lowest safe temperature (typically still above 49°C / 120°F)
- Avoid turning a gas tank’s pilot completely off unless you’re comfortable relighting it, or have a technician do so on your return
- Set electric tanks to vacation mode rather than cutting power at the breaker, if your model supports it
Tankless Water Heaters
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Tankless units work differently. They don’t store hot water, so they aren’t drawing standby energy the way a tank does; a tankless heater only fires up when a hot water tap is opened. This means there’s little to no energy benefit to adjusting the temperature setting before a trip. What does matter is leaving the unit powered on, since most tankless systems rely on continuous power for built-in freeze protection, particularly relevant during Metro Vancouver’s occasional winter cold snaps. For more on this, see our guide on how to protect a tankless water heater in winter.
What Not to Do Before a Trip
| Action | Why to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Unplugging a tankless unit | Disables freeze protection |
| Shutting off gas to a tank without relighting plans | Leaves you without hot water on return; some pilots are tricky to relight safely |
| Turning a tank’s thermostat to the highest setting “to save time later” | Increases standby energy loss and scald risk, with no real benefit |
| Ignoring the main water shutoff | For longer trips, shutting off the home’s main water supply reduces leak risk while away, separate from the water heater’s own settings |
Longer Absences: Consider the Main Water Shutoff
If you’re leaving for an extended period, whether or not you adjust the water heater, it’s worth turning off your home’s main water supply. This protects against undetected leaks anywhere in the house, not just at the water heater, and is a simple step that takes only a minute before you head out.
Returning Home
If you lowered a tank’s thermostat, simply return it to the normal setting; hot water should be back to temperature within an hour or two depending on tank size. If you shut off a gas pilot before leaving, do not attempt to relight it yourself if you’re unsure of the process. A licensed technician can relight it safely and check for proper operation at the same time.
What About Heat Pump and Hybrid Water Heaters?
Hybrid heat pump water heaters sit somewhere between a tank and a tankless unit in how they respond to being left idle. Many models have their own vacation mode, which shifts the unit to a lower-energy standby setting without fully shutting it down. As with a standard tank, it’s worth using the manufacturer’s designated vacation setting rather than cutting power entirely, since some hybrid units also rely on continuous power for freeze protection in exposed installation locations, similar to tankless systems.
Getting Your System Vacation-Ready
If you’re not sure what settings your specific model supports, or you want a technician to check your unit before a long trip, we can help. We also offer maintenance plans that include a pre-trip check for homeowners who travel frequently, and free estimates on installs if your current water heater is aging and you’d rather not worry about it while away.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will lowering my tank water heater save much energy while I'm away?
For trips longer than a few days, yes, it can meaningfully reduce standby heat loss. For short weekend trips, the savings are minor.
Should I unplug my tankless water heater when I go on vacation?
No. Leaving it powered keeps freeze protection active, which matters if temperatures drop while you’re gone.
Is it safe to turn off my gas water heater's pilot before a trip?
It can be, but only if you’re confident about relighting it safely on your return, or plan to have a technician do it. Otherwise, it’s simpler to leave it on the vacation setting.
Should I shut off my home's main water valve while traveling?
For longer absences, yes, this is a good precaution against undetected leaks anywhere in the home, independent of your water heater’s settings.
Reviewed by the ROMA Heating & Cooling team — TSBC-licensed gas contractor (Gas LGA0202903), serving Greater Vancouver since 1999. Updated June 2026.
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