I have been debating the efficiency of installing a swimming pool type of timer on an electric water heater to save $$ and life on the heater. The idea is to shut the heater off at 10 or 11pm and turn it back on around 5 or 6 am.
Does it cost more to maintain the water temp throughout the night or to let the water cool off and take the big hit in the morning to bring it back up to temp...?
Other things to that may play a factor:
-Turning off the heater for part of the day may increase the overal;l life of the heater.
-The water temp may really not drop that much during the night while the heater is off, making the big hit in the morning really not that big.
.
Any opinions? My brother and I are in disagreement on this one. I say no, he says it works.
Does it cost more to maintain the water temp throughout the night or to let the water cool off and take the big hit in the morning to bring it back up to temp...?
Other things to that may play a factor:
-Turning off the heater for part of the day may increase the overal;l life of the heater.
-The water temp may really not drop that much during the night while the heater is off, making the big hit in the morning really not that big.
.
Any opinions? My brother and I are in disagreement on this one. I say no, he says it works.