If you’re a Scottsdale snowbird heading out for the summer, your water heater is probably the last thing on your mind. You’re thinking about mail holds, thermostat settings, and making sure someone’s keeping an eye on the place.
But leaving your water heater running normally while you’re gone for 4–5 months is quietly costing you money — and in some cases, setting up a problem you won’t discover until you return in October.
Here’s exactly what to do with your water heater before you leave, and why it matters.
The Problem With Leaving It as Is
A standard water heater runs continuously — heating and reheating the same water all day, every day, whether anyone is home or not. Over a summer, that adds up to months of energy bills for hot water nobody is using.
There’s also a more serious concern. In an unoccupied home, a slow leak from a water heater can go undetected for weeks. By the time you return, you’re not dealing with a leaky water heater — you’re dealing with water damage, mold, and a much larger repair bill.
A few minutes before you leave can prevent both problems entirely.
Option 1 — Switch to Vacation Mode (Best for Most Snowbirds)
Most modern water heaters have a vacation mode or “VAC” setting on the thermostat dial. This lowers the temperature to around 50°F — just warm enough to prevent any issues with the unit, while using almost no energy.
This is the right choice if:
- You’re leaving for the full summer (May through September)
- Someone may occasionally use the home — a house sitter, family member, or short-term guest
- You want hot water available quickly when you return without waiting for a full reheat
To switch to vacation mode: locate the temperature dial on your water heater (usually near the bottom on gas units, behind the access panel on electric) and turn it to the VAC or lowest setting.
Option 2 — Turn It Off Completely (For Extended, Fully Unoccupied Homes)
If absolutely no one will be using the home all summer, turning the water heater off entirely is the most energy-efficient option.
For gas water heaters:
Turn the gas control dial to the PILOT position. This keeps the pilot light running without heating any water. If you want to shut it down completely, turn the dial to OFF — but be aware you’ll need to relight the pilot when you return.
For electric water heaters:
Flip the dedicated water heater breaker in your electrical panel to OFF. That’s it — simple and clean.
This option makes the most sense if:
- The home will be completely unoccupied for the entire summer
- You’re comfortable relighting a pilot or resetting a breaker when you return
Should You Shut Off the Main Water Supply?
This is a common instinct — but in Arizona, it’s actually not recommended.
Shutting off the main water supply to your home for an entire summer allows the sediment and mineral deposits already sitting in your pipes and water heater to dry out and harden. In Scottsdale’s hard water environment, that accelerates corrosion inside the tank and can cause serious damage to your plumbing that isn’t visible until you turn everything back on.
The better approach is to leave the water supply on, set your water heater to vacation mode, and have someone periodically run the water briefly — even just once or twice a month — to keep things from sitting completely stagnant. A trusted neighbor, house sitter, or property manager can handle this easily.
Keeping water moving through the system — even minimally — is far better for your plumbing and your water heater than leaving it dry for months in Arizona summer heat.
What to Do When You Return in the Fall
Coming back to a home that’s been sitting in Arizona summer heat requires a little more than just flipping things back on.
- Restore power or gas to the water heater — flip the breaker back on for electric units, or relight the pilot on gas units if you turned it off completely
- Let the tank fully reheat before using hot water — this takes 30–60 minutes for most units
- Run each hot water tap briefly to flush out any stagnant water sitting in the pipes
- Consider scheduling a flush — after sitting all summer in Scottsdale’s hard water environment, sediment will have settled at the bottom of the tank
The Bigger Picture: Is Your Water Heater Ready for Another Arizona Winter?
Before you leave is also the best time to take a quick look at your water heater’s overall condition. If it’s already 8–10 years old and showing signs of wear, discovering that in May is far better than coming home to a failed unit in October.
A few things worth checking before you head out:
- Any rust or corrosion around the base or fittings
- Any signs of past leaking — water stains on the floor or walls nearby
- When it was last flushed or serviced
- The age of the unit — check the serial number label on the side of the tank
If anything looks off, it’s worth having it evaluated before you leave rather than hoping it holds through the summer.
Heading Out Soon? Let Pete Take a Look First.
Water Heater Pete serves Scottsdale and the surrounding Valley. If you’d like a quick assessment before you leave for the summer — or you want to schedule a fall flush for when you return — we’ll give you a straight answer and upfront pricing with no pressure.
📞 Call Water Heater Pete: (480) 447-7550
Or schedule online →