How To Turn Up Hot Water Heater
Knowing exactly how to adjust your hot water heater is crucial for any homeowner. Use this simple step-by-step guide to turn up the temperature on your heaters for both gas and electric units.
What To Know About Hot Water Heater Settings
Your hot water heater is undoubtedly one of the most energy-intensive appliances in any home. This means lowering the temperature on the water heater is one of the easiest ways to reduce your energy bills.
The majority of newer water heaters are set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the needed water temperature to kill any harmful bacteria. The US Department of Energy currently recommends 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some health experts suggest setting the hot water heater to 140 degrees Fahrenheit in the event someone in the household is immunocompromised. It’s crucial to note this is a very high temperature, posing some potential serious risks to both elderly and young people. At this temperature, everyone will be at risk of scalding.
How To Turn Up A Gas Water Heater
There may come a time when you wish to adjust the temperature of your water heater. For older gas models, simply turn the dial located near the bottom of the unit. Older models will not feature a readout or gauge that lets you track the temperature. Give the unit time to adjust to the temperature, then confirm it at your sink or shower.
To properly adjust the water heater, use these steps:
- Turn the water heater’s power off at the circuit breaker.
- Check the circuit breaker labels in order to find the correct switch.
- Find the thermostat access panel that is located on the heater.
- You may need the help of a screwdriver to remove this panel.
- Turn the control both up and down with the screwdriver.
- The thermostat will either list the temperature or have it written as “+” or “-“.
- Replace the panel and restore power to the heater at the panel.
- At this time, you may need to relight the pilot light.
- Wait a minimum of three hours before attempting to test the temperature at a sink or shower.
How To Turn Up An Electric Water Heater
The majority of modern water heaters feature indicators to adjust the temperature with ease. The process overall is quite similar to a gas model, with a few subtle differences.
Use this simple guide to adjust the temperature of an electric water heater:
- Turn your power off at the circuit breaker.
- Most electric units use 240 volts, which means you’ll have to turn off two breakers.
- Remove the thermostat access panel as the next step.
- The panel may feature a thin sheet of insulation beneath the cover. Remove that at this time.
- Grab a screwdriver to adjust the temperature setting.
- Any temperature north of 120 degrees Fahrenheit poses a potential burn risk.
- Replace both the insulation and panel.
- Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker panel.
- Again, it’s recommended to wait at least three hours before testing the temperature.