We have a water heater in a new house that we bought. We have not moved into it. I decided to turn the gas off to it so that I wouldn't be wasting and paying for gas. Will this damage the water heater in any way?
We have not moved into it so we are not really using water. The contractors are there and they use very little water.
It's been a couple of months since I've turned off the gas valve at the water heater.
Best Answer
No it wont hurt the water heater. Turning the gas on and allowing the burner to operate with an empty water heater would damage it, but no gas, with or without water in the tank will not hurt anything. Be aware, water left in the tank may smell like rotten eggs until flushed for 10 mins or so prior to use. It would be ideal to shut off water supply to water heater, shut off the gas on the control valve itself, and drain the water heater. When youre ready to start using it again, simply open the hot side of a faucet, turn on water supply to the water heater; faucet will spit and blow as the air purges from the hot water pipes. Once faucet is flowing normally, shut off hot faucet, set w/h control to pilot, and light pilot flame per w/h instructions, then follow w/h instructions for setting water temp.
Just NEVER operate a water heater, gas or electric, with no water in the tank.