On Mar 16, 12:07�pm, dpb wrote:
wrote:
My wife and I recently moved into a house that has two 50 gallon
electric water heaters. �They are about two years old. �As it is just
the two of us, I would like to turn one of them off and see if one
heater can meet our needs.

...

For the test period to determine if one alone is adequate, all you need
to do is cut the power to it and close its discharge valve.

Once you determine whether its and extra you can then decide whether to
do more or not.

For the long run if it isn't needed (and I'd have a hard time thinking
50-gal wouldn't cover anybody's ordinary needs, family or no), then I'd
probably go to the trouble of draining the other tank entirely as
leaving it indefinitely w/ water will inevitably end up w/ sour water
such that it will not be useful if/when wanted as the replacement.

It could be "abandoned in place" as an eventual replacement, however.

As someone else noted, of course you'll want to ensure the power is off
at the breaker and perhaps even make a hard disconnect so it couldn't be
accidentally powered on while empty while in disuse for the duration.

--

turn off power and forget it, use first tank as pass thru tempering
tank, so water wouldnt get yuk.......

if you drain the tank the remaing moisture and air will make it leak
faster, rust just loves oxygen.

this is one that the simplest solution is likely the best