📄 Should I Leave My HydroHeat System On Between Jobs?
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Should I Leave My HydroHeat System On Between Jobs?

Overview

Many customers ask whether to leave their HydroHeat system switched on throughout the day or to turn it off between jobs. The answer depends on how long the system will be idle and the balance between battery use and fuel consumption.

How the System Uses Power

  • Battery Current:

    • Start-up: ~17 amps

    • Tick-over / standby: ~7 amps

  • Leaving the system on draws a small amount of battery continuously. For short breaks, this is minimal and does not risk discharging the battery.

  • Switching the system off saves battery power during the idle period, but the heater will need a high-current start-up (17 amps) when restarted.

  • Fuel Use:

    • HydroHeat heaters consume fuel to maintain water temperature—typically around 1 litre/hour.

    • Leaving the heater on continuously uses more diesel, but avoids repeated reheating.

Recommended Operating Practice

Break Length Between JobsWhat to DoBattery & Fuel Considerations
Less than 30 minutesLeave the system onMinimal battery use at tick-over; saves diesel by avoiding repeated reheating
More than 30 minutesSwitch the system offSaves diesel during long idle periods; battery will supply start-up current (17 amps) when reheating

Tip: For short gaps, the small battery draw is usually preferable to the extra fuel used when the heater restarts. For longer stops, switching off is more economical.

Summary

  • Short breaks (<30 min): leave the system on.

  • Long breaks (>30 min): switch off to save fuel.

  • Battery use is minor compared to the fuel savings when used appropriately.