Leaving the gas water heater on pilot

[Kaleva]

Living here by myself, washing clothes in cold water only, taking a shower everyday and washing the few dishes I have every couple of days; I've found that I can leave the gas water heater on pilot only most of the time. The pilot flame provides enough heat to maintain water temperature. Before taking a shower or washing the dishes, I'll turn the control to "on" and after I'm done, turn the control back to pilot after the main burner has shut down on it's own.

I do not know how much gas I'm saving as I've been doing this for only two weeks and it being chilly, the gas furnace is in use. I'll have a better idea come summer when I can look at the bill.

[silverweb]

1. I've done that, too...

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]...before I went solar for hot water, and my propane tanks lasted 3-4 times as long as they ordinarily would.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. You will have to update us when you see results.

I am in the same boat as you...live alone and don't need all that much hot water. I also work all day so there is no water use then.

I don't think this is possible for me, but I would have to look into it if it is worth it. I have a water heater without a "pilot" light. Seems to me it is some sort of automatic starter on mine. I remember years ago when we did have a pilot light in this house, since you had to turn it off before vacations.

But I am still interested, as others probably are. Let us know how it works.

[Kaleva]

3. Yes, this probably wouldn't work for you.

I've found that the pilot flame itself is hot enough to maintain water temperature so when I turn the gas valve to "on", I can wash dishes and/or take a shower right away and have plenty of hot water without waiting.

Since yours doesn't have a pilot flame, you could just turn the temperature way down when not in use but then you'd have to wait awhile after turning it back up to ensure you have adequate hot water.