Is Your Water Heater Temperature Correct? Learn What the Setting Should Be
Do you know the most appropriate temperature for your home’s hot water? By properly adjusting your water heater temperature, you can maximize energy efficiency while extending the lifespan of the water heater and protecting household members from the risk of scalding when overly hot water is available at the tap.
Despite the common 140 degree default setting of many storage-tank water heaters, the majority of homes will fare better when their water heater temperature is set to 120 degrees. With the exception of a dishwasher without an internal heater or other unique situations, water above 120 degrees is not necessary for the great majority of household uses. Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to scalding from tap water above 130 degrees.
Choosing a cooler hot water setting will lower your utility bills in two ways: Not only will your demand for hot water be reduced, the energy needed to hold water at 120 degrees versus 140 degrees will reduce your standby energy waste substantially.
Adjusting your water heater temperature accurately is a project that can be completed by many homeowners. Follow these steps to reset the water heater’s thermostat:
- Disconnect the power supply to your unit.
- Use a thermometer to measure the temperature of both the nearest and farthest hot water devices from your water heater.
- Adjust the heater’s thermostat up or down depending on the needed temperature change.
- Reconnect your unit’s power supply and wait several hours.
- Recheck the temperature of your hot water and make additional adjustments as necessary.
- Mark the new location on your hot water heater’s thermostat.
Keeping in mind that the hot water leaving the faucet or device closest to your water heater will always be hotter than more distant outlets, you can find a balance between hot water safety and comfort in all parts of your home.
Contact the friendly professionals at NisAir Air Conditioning & Heating for help with all of your home comfort needs. We provide quality service to Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.
