We could be away from home for as long as 3.5 - 4 months this winter. We plan to turn the water off at the meter and to drain the inside lines at the lowest point in the house. If I leave the water heater on at the lowest setting, will the water evaporate enough to expose the electring heating coils? If I turn the electricity off to the Water Heater, should I drain the heater?

Hi Olen:

You will want to shut off the electric to the water heater before going on vacation... why pay to heat water you won't use?

In terms of draining the unit, will you be having your heat to the building set at a base point, such as 55F? If so, then no need to drain the water heater or the water pipes for that matter.

If no heat source to the house while away then you want to drain everything and plan on installing some antifreeze (or environmentally friendly non-evaporating fluid, such as cooking oil) into the ptraps of all fixtures, including toilets.

Let us know more on your plans...

MARK