First a little background, two things. I'm married to a Russian wife, which means hot water for showers are mandatory to keep the wife happy (only mostly kidding, we've been through tough times together and that's not why she loves me). Also, I've only ever known electric water heaters. One day 2 years ago, the thermostat fortuitously went out on our electric water heater and we resorted to only turning it on at the breaker. I was busy with my day job. Our electric bill went WAY down, like 30-40% !!! I knew they cost money but that drove the point home.
Now, we have natural gas which goes to a brand new HVAC unit, so that heating is done by gas. A 50 gal gas water heater looks to be about 300-400.00 more expensive if it has a WiFi module. My specific question is whether or not, or when, the cost-benefit of using WiFi to completely shut the water heater down at night and when we're away will/would make the WiFi worth it. If you have numbers from actual experience that would be great!
PS I'm disinclined to install tankless water heaters – it's an old house, I know as I've worked on it.
Best Answer
One does not have to resort to an expensive internet capable device to enjoy the money savings of a controlled water heater. There are a number of mechanical electrical timers which would serve the intended purpose.
Prior to installing a solar water heater panel on the roof, our house was equipped with a water heater timer rated to 220v which had multiple trigger attachments for on and off. A large diameter clock dial to cover seven days provided the reference surface to which the triggers attached.
An internet article suggests that this type of device can save money. I know from experience that it worked for us. Sporadic use of hot water in a small household gains the most, especially if you can block the times you need hot water and apply those to the timer disk.
I clearly have to read more thoroughly before answering!
Take a look at the site that obviously sells a specific product:
Gas water heater timers!
It appears to serve as a gas flow control device. Under one hundred dollars US and there may be other manufacturers/dealers from which to choose.