Water heater thermostat "vacation" setting question
 

Hi all: Earlier this year, we had a new Bradford White 50 gal. gas water
heater installed in our home. Recently we went on a 2 week vacation and
turned the thermostat down to the "Vacation" setting before we left. On our
return, and before turning the thermostat back to its normal hot setting, we
had occasion to turn on the hot water faucets in the house and discovered,
to our surprise, that the water came out just as hot as when the thermostat
is set to its normal hot setting. The plumber who installed the unit
checked out the thermostat and thinks its working properly. If the water in
the tank is hot after two weeks with the thermostat set to "Vacation", does
that suggest there's a malfunction in the thermostat or elsewhere in the
appliance? And if the purpose of the "Vacation" setting is to prevent the
unit from firing and is working properly, what kept the water hot for two
weeks? Thanks for your replies! PE

pe wrote:

Hi all: Earlier this year, we had a new Bradford White 50 gal. gas water
heater installed in our home. Recently we went on a 2 week vacation and
turned the thermostat down to the "Vacation" setting before we left. On our
return, and before turning the thermostat back to its normal hot setting, we
had occasion to turn on the hot water faucets in the house and discovered,
to our surprise, that the water came out just as hot as when the thermostat
is set to its normal hot setting. The plumber who installed the unit
checked out the thermostat and thinks its working properly. If the water in
the tank is hot after two weeks with the thermostat set to "Vacation", does
that suggest there's a malfunction in the thermostat or elsewhere in the
appliance? And if the purpose of the "Vacation" setting is to prevent the
unit from firing and is working properly, what kept the water hot for two
weeks? Thanks for your replies! PE


I don't think Vacation guarantees it won't fire; just lowers the setting.

To keep it from firing, turn the small knob to "PILOT".
That will keep the pilot lit, but prevent the main valve from opening.

Jim

Do yourself a favor and just turn it completely off the next time you go on
vacation.

It only takes an hour or so for it to heat back up upon your return......


"pe" wrote in message
news:6K6vd.56687$Af.25679@fed1read07...
Hi all: Earlier this year, we had a new Bradford White 50 gal. gas water
heater installed in our home. Recently we went on a 2 week vacation and
turned the thermostat down to the "Vacation" setting before we left. On
our return, and before turning the thermostat back to its normal hot
setting, we had occasion to turn on the hot water faucets in the house and
discovered, to our surprise, that the water came out just as hot as when
the thermostat is set to its normal hot setting. The plumber who
installed the unit checked out the thermostat and thinks its working
properly. If the water in the tank is hot after two weeks with the
thermostat set to "Vacation", does that suggest there's a malfunction in
the thermostat or elsewhere in the appliance? And if the purpose of the
"Vacation" setting is to prevent the unit from firing and is working
properly, what kept the water hot for two weeks? Thanks for your replies!
PE

"pe" wrote in message
news:6K6vd.56687$Af.25679@fed1read07...
Hi all: Earlier this year, we had a new Bradford White 50 gal. gas water
heater installed in our home. Recently we went on a 2 week vacation and
turned the thermostat down to the "Vacation" setting before we left. On
our
return, and before turning the thermostat back to its normal hot setting,
we
had occasion to turn on the hot water faucets in the house and discovered,
to our surprise, that the water came out just as hot as when the
thermostat
is set to its normal hot setting. The plumber who installed the unit
checked out the thermostat and thinks its working properly. If the water
in
the tank is hot after two weeks with the thermostat set to "Vacation",
does
that suggest there's a malfunction in the thermostat or elsewhere in the
appliance? And if the purpose of the "Vacation" setting is to prevent the
unit from firing and is working properly, what kept the water hot for two
weeks? Thanks for your replies! PE


The pilot light will keep the water fairlly warm if the tank has good
insulation and noone is drawing water from the tank while you are gone.

pe wrote:
Hi all: Earlier this year, we had a new Bradford White 50 gal. gas
water heater installed in our home. Recently we went on a 2 week
vacation and turned the thermostat down to the "Vacation" setting
before we left. On our return, and before turning the thermostat
back to its normal hot setting, we had occasion to turn on the hot
water faucets in the house and discovered, to our surprise, that the
water came out just as hot as when the thermostat is set to its
normal hot setting. The plumber who installed the unit checked out
the thermostat and thinks its working properly. If the water in the
tank is hot after two weeks with the thermostat set to "Vacation",
does that suggest there's a malfunction in the thermostat or
elsewhere in the appliance? And if the purpose of the "Vacation"
setting is to prevent the unit from firing and is working properly,
what kept the water hot for two weeks? Thanks for your replies! PE

As noted, it only turned it down. You might not notice the difference
especially if it is coming through a anti-scald device like you will find on
most modern showers.

--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

pe wrote:
Hi all: Earlier this year, we had a new Bradford White 50 gal. gas
water
heater installed in our home. Recently we went on a 2 week vacation
and
turned the thermostat down to the "Vacation" setting before we left.
On our
return, and before turning the thermostat back to its normal hot
setting, we
had occasion to turn on the hot water faucets in the house and
discovered,
to our surprise, that the water came out just as hot as when the
thermostat
is set to its normal hot setting. The plumber who installed the unit

checked out the thermostat and thinks its working properly. If the
water in
the tank is hot after two weeks with the thermostat set to
"Vacation", does
that suggest there's a malfunction in the thermostat or elsewhere in
the
appliance? And if the purpose of the "Vacation" setting is to
prevent the
unit from firing and is working properly, what kept the water hot for
two
weeks? Thanks for your replies! PE

Since we have two little kids in the house, and have a low flow shower
head with only one person at a time needing a shower, we normally keep
our gas water heater set to "vacation". It is just warm enough for
showering with only a small amount of cold water mixed in. Helps with
energy conservation that way.
If we are going away for an extended period, I just turn it off.

Ken