How To Change The Temperature On A Water Heater

No ane likes a common cold shower. Even worse is getting scalded when you run the hot water. Properly setting the temperature on your h2o heater is important not only for your health and safety, but also for saving money on your electricity bill.

Here is how to adjust the temperature on your water heater to save money and your skin.

The correct temperature range

There are a number of reasons your water heater should be set within a specific range of temperatures. If it'south fix too low, not just will your hot water feel lukewarm, at best, it can likewise atomic number 82 to bacterial growth which tin cause things similar Legionnaires' affliction.

This can exist prevented by setting the h2o heater to a temperature where the bacteria Legionella cannot thrive. The Occupational Rubber & Wellness Administration (OSHA) recommends water heaters exist set to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit (lx degrees Celsius) to minimize the growth of Legionella and other microorganisms.

While you might be prone to merely creepo upward the heat, h2o that is besides hot is potentially more dangerous, peculiarly if you take kids around the house. At 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius), it just takes two seconds to suffer tertiary-caste burns. The Consumer Production Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends setting the h2o heater at no more 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) to forestall scalding. Not to mention, a water heater that is ready besides loftier can unnecessarily increase your electricity neb.

Of grade, every house is different. The further a faucet is from the h2o heater, the more estrus will be lost as the water travels, especially if the pipes aren't insulated. That means you might have to raise the temperature beyond the recommended 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) to compensate.

Utilise your best sentence for your family and household when setting the temperature. Information technology's smart to stay within the range of 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (49 to threescore degrees Celsius). Make an adjustment, examination information technology out and repeat until you settle on the perfect temperature setting for you home and water heater.

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Adjusting h2o heater temperature

The interface for setting the temperature on a water heater will vary past type and model. Fortunately, virtually water heater types are adapted similarly.

For example, most newer gas and electrical h2o heaters take a thermostat backside an insulated access panel. Electric water heaters often have two thermostats -- i at the meridian and another at the bottom of the tank. And near tankless water heaters feature a brandish with a temperature readout and controls for adjusting the temperature.

Regardless of the water heater type, yous should test the water before you make whatever adjustments. Turn on the water in the bathroom or kitchen sink and let information technology run until it's fully hot. Then hold a thermometer under the water to go an accurate reading.

Tankless

Adjusting a tankless water heater is a lot like adjusting the thermostat for your air-conditioning. Utilize the digital control console to adjust the temperature up and downward equally needed.

Gas or electric water heaters

Some gas water heaters feature a dial nigh the bottom of the unit that yous can just adjust by turning it -- no tools required. Yet, nearly newer tank water heaters (gas or electric) are a little more involved, but it'due south nonetheless easy and should only take a couple of minutes.

Start past turning off ability to the water heater at the circuit breaker.
Discover the access panel for the thermostat(s) and apply a screwdriver to remove the console.
Peel back the insulation.
Use a flathead screwdriver to adapt the thermostat upwardly or down.
- If your water heater has ii thermostats, arrange both the same amount. The top thermostat should be a few degrees higher than the bottom.
Supersede the insulation and reinstall the access panel.
Restore power to the water heater.
For gas water heaters, you may need to relight the pilot light.

Once you've fabricated an aligning, wait at to the lowest degree three hours before testing the h2o temperature over again. Yous may need to make additional adjustments to become the temperature simply correct.

If you've raised the temperature and you're still experiencing cold showers, your hot water heater may need to be serviced or even replaced.

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