Adjusting Your Water Heater Temperature

To calibrate your thermometer:

• Hold in a cup of ice water until temperature gauge drops to 32° (or the lowest on the gauge)
• While calibrating thermometer, run hot water from tap so it gets as hot as possible
• Fill a cup with hot water
• Insert thermometer
• Temperature dial will stop on the water temperature.
  • The most common residential temperature is about 120 degrees.

Electric Tank Water Heaters

You remember from a previous article of mine, the distinction between the different types of water heaters. In this article, I’ll go into how to adjust the temperature on the more common kinds.

Most electric water heaters have two thermostats under the control panels, one upper and one lower. For the tank to work most efficiently, they should be set to the same. (Note: Smaller units may only have one).

What you’ll need:

• Phillips- or flat-head screwdriver

Now, simply follow the steps below:

1. Turn off the water heater’s power. This usually involves finding your circuit breaker and turning off that area’s power.
2. Locate the thermostats. Most of these will be concealed under an access panel, attached with four screws. Use your screwdriver to remove the panels.
3. Remove insulation if needed. As mentioned, most electric heaters have two thermostats. Smaller units may only have one. If your heater has been insulated, you may need to remove the insulation to get to the thermostat.
4. Adjust the dial(s). Once uncovered, the thermostats will have a dial, which may read differently depending on the manufacturer. No matter how they appear though, they will indicate one direction hotter or cooler in the other. Depending on your needs, adjust the dial slightly using your screwdriver.
            *Be sure to adjust both dials the same amount.
5. Close the panels and reattach the screws.
6. Restore power to the water heater.
7. Wait and re-test. After about three or four hours, your water should be adjusted and ready to be tested again. If the temperature is still unsatisfactory, follow these steps again until it is at the desired area.

Gas Tank Water Heaters

Gas water heaters are typically much simpler. They usually have a simple, easy-to-read dial toward the bottom of the tank. Some models will conceal the dial under a control panel. In this case, follow the above steps again.

What you’ll need:

• Just your hands!

Then follow the steps below:

1. Turn the knob warmer or cooler, depending on your needs.
2. Wait and re-test. Just as with electric heaters, your water should be ready after about three or four hours. If it is not at the desired temperature, simply keep adjusting and re-testing.

Some final tips!

• Lowering the temperature on your heater will save money on the energy bill.
• If you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time, lower the temperature to its lowest setting to save money while the water isn’t being used!
• Most manufacturers recommend a temperature of roughly 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If there are children in your household, you may want to keep the temperature slightly below that 120 mark to prevent scalding.
• Some household appliances (ie: dishwashers) require around 140 degrees to kill bacteria. Most modern dishwashers pre-heat the water anyway, however, so lowering the temperature should not impact this.

Contact us if you have any questions or if you need your water heater repaired.