Hello, I've got a gas water heater in an unoccupied area of my home that's almost never used. It is set on "Vacation" presently. I'm thinking about turning it off and draining it.
Question: is closing the gas line that feeds the burner the best way to turn it off?

That would be the first step. The second step would be to shut the incoming cold water off above the water heater inlet.

You realize, that if you drain it, the heater will be filled with moist air and will probably start rusting, don't you? if that happens when you do want to use it, the water will be red/brown and it may never go away until you replace the water heater.

Thanks. Is there anything wrong with leaving it on and set to "Vacation" permanently?

No, and there is also nothing wrong with just turning off the gas and water, then leaving it full of water.

What about when it gets real cold this winter? This water heater's in an unheated attic.

How cold does it get in that attic? you are in a sticky situation. An empty tank has one possible set of problems, a "cold" one has others, and a "warm" tank still additional ones, such as Legionaires Disease.

It might get down to 15-20 degrees in that attic on the coldest night of the year.


p.s. - thanks for responding. I've been on the road for a couple of days.