How To Change The Temp On A Water Heater

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The water temperature in your home has a very fragile balance—too loftier and yous risk existence scalded; too low and you'll exist stuck shivering under a lukewarm shower. Fortunately, adjusting a hot water heater is uncomplicated, provided that you're conscientious. For your own safety, shut off the power to the h2o heater at your home'south main excursion breaker. And so, unscrew the access panel on the side of the unit and apply a apartment-blade screwdriver to raise or lower the temperature co-ordinate to the ranges listed on the dial. When you're finished, be sure to test your water temperature before hopping in the shower.

1
Consider whether your water temperature is in need of adjusting. For safety reasons, most manufacturers recommend that the water you lot use in your homestay at around 120 °F (49 °C). Almost water heaters volition already exist gear up to this temperature when they're installed. To limit the risk of injury, information technology's best to just get out it alone in most cases.^[one]
- If your water seems unusually common cold, the problem may exist a cleaved heating element or poor insulation rather than the temperature of the water heater itself. A qualified plumber can aid diagnose and repair a faulty water heater.^[2]
2
Twist the dial on the bottom of the water heater to change the temperature. Gas water heaters are easy—they feature a single knob that controls the amount of estrus being directed to the unit. Turning this knob to the left (counterclockwise) will crank up the temperature, making the water hotter. Turning it to the right (clockwise) will cool it downwardly.^[iii]
- On the bulk of gas water heaters, the lower temperature range volition be somewhere around xc–110 °F (32–43 °C), while the upper range will top out at effectually 140–150 °F (60–66 °C).
- The dial on your gas h2o heater may not be numbered, which can brand finding the perfect temperature a little tricky. Ane elementary way around this is to take the temperature of the water a few times after altering your settings, and so tag the verbal degree reading or mark it on the dial itself.^[4]
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3
Increment the temperature to enjoy warmer water for cleaning and bathing. In that location are a couple advantages of having hotter water in your home. For i, it tin brand a shower or soak in the tub more luxurious, since you won't have to worry most running out of hot water as speedily. Information technology can also give appliances that don't use preheated water (like dishwashers and washing machines) a boost, which will assistance get dirty items cleaner.^[5]
- Hotter temperatures are more than effective for eliminating about common bacteria, including health hazards like Legionella, E. coli, and staphylococcus.^[half-dozen]
- Avoid setting your water heater to a temperature higher than 120 °F (49 °C). Doing then can present a serious take chances of burns, particularly for children and the elderly.^[7]
4
Decrease the temperature to save coin on your utilities. Heating large quantities of h2o gets expensive fast. If you're looking to shave a few dollars off your adjacent heating pecker, consider lowering your water heater's temperature setting to the 100–110 °F (38–43 °C) range. Even a modest modify can save you lot large over the form of a few months.^[eight]
- Keep in mind that your water won't get as hot, which may impact your condolement or the level of sanitation for cleaning projects.

1
Shut off the ability to the water heater. Head to your home's central circuit billow and locate the switch respective to the water heat. Flip this switch to the "Off" position. This will cut off the electricity flowing to the unit of measurement, allowing yous to open it upwards without fear of being zapped.^[9]
- Don't try to make any alterations to your water heat before double checking that the power is safely off.
- If the breaker for your h2o heater isn't labeled, it may exist necessary to use a multimeter to examination for a alive electric current. You're looking for a reading of zero volts. Don't forget to tag the correct billow when you lot're washed.^[10]
2
Remove the access console from the side of the unit. Identify the two screws at the top and bottom of the panel and apply a apartment-blade screwdriver to loosen them. Pull the panel free from the body of the unit and set information technology bated somewhere nearby. Be careful not to lose the screws.^[xi]
- On some models, in that location may exist a divide plastic comprehend beneath the metal access panel. This should come away easily with a gentle tug.
3
Pull out or push bated the insulation covering the thermostat. Inside the water heater, you'll find a thicker layer of insulation. If information technology'southward a single piece fabricated from styrofoam or like material, yous'll be able to simply lift it out. Move fiberglass insulation out of the way past mitt to clear a path to the thermostat controls.^[12]
- The insulation within a water heater is used to reduce heat loss and ensure more than authentic readings.
iv
Use a flat-bract screwdriver to enhance or lower the temperature setting. The loftier- and low-end temperature ranges will be displayed at the lesser of the thermostat. Insert the tip of the screwdriver into the colored adjusting screw to change the temperature. Twisting it to the left (counterclockwise) will subtract the temperature while twisting information technology to the right (clockwise) will increment it.^[13]
- The adjusting screws on newer electric water heaters feature indicator hands which tell you approximately how hot the current setting is. Pay attention to where the hand rests, as this volition allow you to fine-tune your h2o temperature more precisely.^[14]
- If your h2o heater makes use of dual heating elements, brand sure both thermostats are set to the same temperature so that i isn't forced to exercise more work than the other.
v

Supplant the insulation and access panel. When you're satisfied with the new temperature setting, put everything back the mode you lot found it. Make sure the insulation is completely covering the internal thermostat, and so fit both protective covers back into place and tighten the screws to secure them.
6
Restore the power to the water heater. Render to your chief breaker and toggle the switch for the water heater to the "On" position. The electricity will one time over again be alive, so avoid making any further tweaks afterwards this point.^[xv]
- Information technology may accept upwards to an hour for your running water to reach its maximum temperature after having your unit of measurement shut off for an extended period.

ane
Fill a drinking glass with hot water. Turn on the tap nearest to the water heater and allow information technology to run for a full minute. Once it's as hot as it can get, concur a drinking glass or similar container under the stream until you've caught a few inches.^[xvi]
- For the about accurate reading possible, it'south best to use a container that'south been kept at room temperature.
2
Insert a cooking thermometer into the hot water. Have your thermometer on standby and so you can drop it in as soon as you've filled the container. Make certain the probe is fully submerged, then expect 30-lx seconds for it to gauge the temperature.^[17]
- Write down the number you lot go for reference. It can help you work out the ideal temperature range for your habitation, or point to potential heating issues outside of the unit of measurement itself.
- If you don't place the thermometer in the h2o right away, the water may have a chance to cool down plenty to throw off your reading.
iii
Determine whether the water is hot enough. Assuming that the temperature is at or around 120 °F (49 °C), you can rest bodacious that your water heater is performing up to snuff. Whatever lower than that and it may need to be bumped upwards a few degrees. Remember that temperatures exceeding 120 °F (49 °C) will be too intense for most home.
- Increment your water temperature in 10 caste increments to reduce the gamble of scalding.
4
Wait 3 hours before retesting the water temperature. Information technology will accept a fiddling fourth dimension for your water heater to take hold of up to the new temperature setting, and then exist patient while it reaches the desired warmth. In the concurrently, concord off on running a bathroom or operating any appliances in instance the h2o beingness circulated is hotter than y'all intended.^[18]
- Take care of any necessary adjustments earlier everyone in your home begins their daily routine.

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Question

What are the letters ABC on a water heater for?

Sealweasel

Community Reply

They are temperature settings. A is the lowest, and C is the highest/hottest. These letters appear on the knob on the water heater.
Question

My water heater setting command says A, B, C. How practise I know if A is the lowest or C is the lowest temperature?

Sealweasel

Community Answer

A is the everyman temperature. C is the highest temperature and B is in between.

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Consider dropping the temperature of your water heater during the spring and summer months when you lot tend to employ less hot water.
Not-domestic establishments similar restaurants may exist able to go by using a temperature setting as loftier every bit 140 °F (sixty °C).

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

It just takes two seconds to receive third-degree burns from water heated to 140–150 °F (60–66 °C)
If you have any doubts about your ability to adjust your water heater safely and correctly yourself, telephone call a professional plumber for help.
Never attempt to tamper with a h2o heater if you're not familiar with how the controls work. 1 bad mistake and it could start a very big problem.

Things You'll Need

Flat-bract screwdriver
Cooking or candy thermometer
Glass or similar container
Multimeter tool (for reading billow voltage)

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Article Summary 10

If your hot water isn't the right temperature, you can suit it in a few minutes. For gas heaters, all you demand to practise is twist the temperature dial at lesser of the heater. For electric heaters, yous'll need to remove the access panel and insulation roofing to access the temperature dial. Just make sure yous shut off the circuit billow for the water first to avoid the risk of electrocuting yourself. Use a flathead screwdriver to accommodate the temperature dial. Most manufacturers recommend 120 degrees Fahrenheit, simply you can fix the temperature a footling lower to save money. If your dial isn't numbered, test the h2o temperature with a cooking thermometer or simply use your fingers, then adjust it appropriately. For more tips, including how to conform a h2o heater with dual heating elements, read on!

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