Water heating is the second-highest energy user in a home, accounting for 19% of energy consumption. There are several types of water heaters. In areas with no freezing temperature risk, the best advice for summer vacations is to turn the water heater as low as possible or off. Turn off the cold water supply if you turn it off completely. Keep the water supply open if you keep the water heater working. The downside is you will return to cold water. When you return, make sure to reopen the cold water supply if necessary and wait for the water heater to provide hot water before opening the hot water faucet. Most manufacturers recommend setting a water heater to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 Celsius) for winter vacations and areas susceptible to freezing temperatures. This protects the pipes from freezing. Households with a gas water heater can change their setting to vacation mode and turn off their cold water supply. On your return, check everything is fine, open the cold water supply, and turn the setting to warm.