How To Increase Temperature On Electric Water Heater

No 1 likes a cold shower. Even worse is getting scalded when you run the hot water. Properly setting the temperature on your water heater is important non only for your health and prophylactic, but besides for saving money on your electricity bill.

Here is how to arrange the temperature on your water heater to save coin and your skin.

The correct temperature range

There are a number of reasons your water heater should be gear up within a specific range of temperatures. If it'south fix too low, not only volition your hot water feel lukewarm, at best, it tin also lead to bacterial growth which tin cause things like Legionnaires' disease.

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

While y'all might be prone to just crank up the oestrus, water that is likewise hot is potentially more dangerous, especially if you have kids effectually the house. At 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius), it only takes two seconds to endure 3rd-degree burns. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends setting the water heater at no more than than 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) to prevent scalding. Not to mention, a h2o heater that is set up also high tin unnecessarily increase your electricity bill.

Of grade, every firm is different. The farther a faucet is from the h2o heater, the more estrus will be lost equally the water travels, peculiarly if the pipes aren't insulated. That means you might have to raise the temperature across the recommended 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) to recoup.

Utilise your best judgement for your family and household when setting the temperature. It'southward smart to stay inside the range of 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (49 to 60 degrees Celsius). Make an adjustment, test it out and repeat until y'all 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 h2o heater will vary by blazon and model. Fortunately, well-nigh water heater types are adjusted similarly.

For example, most newer gas and electric water heaters have a thermostat backside an insulated admission console. Electric water heaters ofttimes have two thermostats -- one at the pinnacle and another at the bottom of the tank. And most tankless water heaters feature a brandish with a temperature readout and controls for adjusting the temperature.

Regardless of the h2o heater type, yous should test the water before you make whatever adjustments. Turn on the h2o in the bathroom or kitchen sink and let it run until it's fully hot. Then concur a thermometer under the h2o to go an accurate reading.

Tankless

Adjusting a tankless water heater is a lot like adjusting the thermostat for your air conditioning. Use the digital control panel to adjust the temperature up and down as needed.

Gas or electric water heaters

Some gas water heaters characteristic a dial near the bottom of the unit that y'all can only suit past turning it -- no tools required. Nevertheless, well-nigh newer tank water heaters (gas or electric) are a little more involved, but it's still like shooting fish in a barrel and should simply accept a couple of minutes.

Start by turning off power to the h2o heater at the circuit billow.
Find the access panel for the thermostat(s) and use a screwdriver to remove the panel.
Pare back the insulation.
Utilise a flathead screwdriver to accommodate the thermostat upward or down.
- If your water heater has two thermostats, adjust both the aforementioned amount. The tiptop thermostat should be a few degrees higher than the bottom.
Supervene upon the insulation and reinstall the access panel.
Restore power to the water heater.
For gas h2o heaters, you may need to relight the pilot light.

Once y'all've made an aligning, wait at least three hours before testing the water temperature again. Yous may need to make additional adjustments to get the temperature just right.

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

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