Question on winterizing water heater
I have an Atwood Water Heater GCH6A-10E 6 gallon gas/electric water heater. When I winterize, I drain the water then pull the red wire off the ECO thermostat. I do this so I can't accidentally turn on...
Forum Discussion
Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
If it is not plugged in to AC or the battery is not installed over the winter why would you need to do this?
Because, people have SHORT memories. When the season starts back up, they sometimes forget about the 120 side of the water heater and then accidently dry fire and destroys the 120 element. ESPECIALLY if they have the water heater bypass valves where NO water goes to the water heater tank and when they open the faucets and see water out of the Hot and Cold, they assume the tank is full of water. By leaving the drain plug removed and the wire harness disconnected, they cannot dry fire without actually going to the outside of the water heater and reconnecting the harness and installing the drain plug and that is enough to make sure the tank will fill with water. Doug
