A sudden burst of piping hot (or freezing cold) water is a showering human's worst nightmare. Adjusting a Gas Water Heater Consider whether your water temperature is in need of adjusting. A water heater should not be set beyond 125 degrees Fahrenheit. 7 Steps for How to Set Water Heater Temperature. You can find your current temperature setting by looking at the dial on the water heater (if equipped) or taking a temperature reading from the faucet. You’ll find the valve on the gas line entering the water heater The World Health Organization suggests setting your water heater at 140 degrees Fahrenheit for optimum safety. Water heater manufacturers recommend that installers set thermostats at 120 - 125 F, and most of them ship the water heaters at an even lower temperature setting. If you are ready to adjust the temperature for your water heater, follow these steps. On the other hand, the EPA suggests turning the thermostat down to 120 to reduce power consumption, and a booster heater to reach sanitizing temperatures at select outlets. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends the 120 degree-mark for both maintenance and savings purposes. Next, check the thermostats. Changing your hot water heater temperature is easy. Set too high, or at 140ºF, your water heater can waste anywhere from $36 to $61 annually in standby heat losses and more than $400 in demand losses. 160 degrees fahrenheit temperature setting would be considered a HOT setting. Another argument for the 120-degree setting: if you have children or older people in your house, they are less likely to get scalded by water from the tap at this temperature. If we set temperature of water heater at 120°F, it will burn less gas or fuel or consume less electricity. Avoiding Burns for Vulnerable People The question then is, what temperature should a hot water heater be set at? Want more advice from the experts? It is for information purposes only. If 120-degree water is too hot for you to use, try setting the thermostat at 110 degrees. Turn the thermostat knob to off. 13" MacBook Pro With Apple M1 Chip (256GB), U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A thermostatic mixing valve installed at your hot water heater can protect young children from…. The mixing valve takes the hot water from the newly set heater (140°F) and mixes it with cold water until it can be released from the valve at a safe 120°F temperature. If you live in a large home where it takes a long time for hot water to reach the tap, a hot water circulating system can solve this. Whether you have a gas or electric water heater, the default temperature set from the factory will be between 120ºF to 140ºF. Their biggest argument, though—being the Department of Energy and all—is that setting your hot water heater to 120 degrees instead of 140 degrees can save you energy, and therefore money: Savings resulting from turning down your water heater temperature are based on two components: reduced standby losses (heat lost from water heater into surrounding basement area); and consumption (from water demand or use in your home). This way it leads to emit fewer greenhouse gases, which helps us to save our environment. Like most things, it depends on your household’s needs, including whether any children or elderly people are living with you, and whether anyone has a compromised immune system. Plus, it provides instructions for both electric and gas hot water heaters. Based on the Department of Energy in US, the best temperature setting which you should choose is at 120 degrees. But if you’re doing a quick temp check, you should be fine on your own. This keeps your water at 140 degrees in the tank but mixes it with cold water to lower the temp to 120 degrees before it reaches the tap. Is Lavish Toilet Paper Harming Your Plumbing? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, for each 10 degree reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3 and 5 … Water, Sanitation Key Steps to World Health, Mr. Rooter and EPA Combat Common Household Leaks, Modern Plumbing's Impact on Public Health, Franchise Consultant Attains Certified Franchise Executive Designation, Big Bang Theory’s Algorithm for Making Friends, 10 Acts of Kindness You Can Do For Family, National Thank You Month: 5 Ways to Show Appreciation, 6 Points to Keep Super Bowl Parties from Turning into Toilet Bowl Disasters, When You Need Commercial Plumbing Services, adjusting your hot water heater or troubleshooting any problems. Having said that, if you don’t live with anyone who fits into the categories above, 120 degrees Fahrenheit is probably the best temperature setting for your hot water heater. However, there is less danger of bacterial growth in smaller domestic hot water tanks. The arguments for 120°F temperature setting: If we set the water heater temperature at 120°F, we may get the following advantages as advice by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering – Helps to cut down bills. Thankfully, there’s a setup that addresses both of these concerns. The temperature control for the indirect water heater will be an aquastat, usually mounted right on the indirect water heater tank (where it can sense the hot water temperature in the hot water tank. Here’s what you need to know. The EPA recommends 120 degrees because it’s hot enough to keep diseases at bay, it’s not hot enough to cause scalding, it will supply enough hot water for most small families and is relatively energy-efficient. The standard temperature for many water heaters is 140 degrees Fahrenheit. In general, many who live alone aim for a lower temperature in the acceptable range since demand for hot water is less and it saves money. Not only will setting it to 120 degrees meet most of your hot water needs, it also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes. 120 degrees is more than adequate for household chores, and especially for showers and baths. This story was originally published on 11/15/13 and was updated on 10/22/19 to provide more thorough and current information. It it’s set too low, you can have some legionnaires disease developing in the water heater. Mr. Rooter is a registered trademark of Mr. Rooter LLC Copyright © 2021 Mr. Rooter, All rights reserved. To reduce the risk of burns from hot tap water, the temperature setting on the water heater can be turned down. However, the best setting for you could vary based on a few factors. Is there any tip for maintaining a water heater? According to. The 120-degree setting is standard. However, a lower temperature does mean you will run out of hot water more quickly. Collect some of the water in a cup and measure the water temperature using your thermometer. If the water is above 120 degrees, adjust the dial, wait about three hours and check again. These factors are not affected by the kind of plumbing you have (PEX, PVC or copper), how the water is heated (gas or electric) or even if you a tankless hot water heater. OSHA has a different hot water temperature recommendation. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, for each 10 degree reduction in water temperature, you … Perhaps your hot water isn’t hot enough no matter what setting your water heater is on. If you’re worried about pathogens in your hot water, and are worried about scalding water, consider a hot water tank booster. This means that those who set their water temperature lower will also tend to run out of hot water faster. Perhaps your hot water isn’t hot enough no matter what setting your water heater is on. But finding that setting on the water heater temperature setting dial isn’t easy, because most dials aren’t labeled with numbers. However, the water is hot enough to cause serious burns. If you drop the temperature down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, energy experts claim that you could potentially save hundreds of dollars in a lower energy consumption. Run hot water at the tap closest to the water heater for at least three minutes. Find the dial or thermostat for your water heater. To do this, turn the hot water all the way up, allow it to run for a few minutes, and then take the water’s temperature. Bacteria are less likely to survive at that temperature, and it is not hot enough to cause scalding. If you need help adjusting your water heater or troubleshooting any problems , call your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing at (855) 982-2028, or request an estimate online. Well, the EPA recommends a hot temperature setting of 120-degrees F for both safety and energy-saving purposes. The location of the dial will vary depending on the model and type of water heater. However, the best setting for you could vary based on a few factors. Again, if you want a safe setting, you should choose a setting which has temperature at 120 degrees. Savings come from turning down of the temperature of your water heater subjected to standby loses and consumption. Don’t set your water heater to anything below 120 degrees, as diseases can develop in the stagnant water inside the water heater, particularly Legionella, which is quite dangerous. However, before adjusting your hot water heater temperature, you should read our article : Hot Water Temperature: The Danger of Setting Your Water Heater Too Hot because if it’s set too high, it can cause severe burns. It is estimated that the average water heater temperature is set to 130ºF in the United States.130ºF IS THE BEST TEMPERATURE TO SET YOUR WATER HEATER as it will reduce the risk of scalding while showering but also be hot enough to meet your dishwasher and … Experts Weigh In: Best Temperature for Heater In Winter . Right? If it still comes out hot then that means that it is faulty and needs to be replaced. If you do set your water heater above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you need to perform regular temperature checks at your faucet, so try to build them into your schedule. First, adjust the thermostat setting to lower the water temperature if the thermostat is set above 130 degrees. Other temperature settings, hot and very hot, each stands for 120 degrees and 160 degrees. Set the temperature of the water reservoir (hot water heater) to 140°F but deliver the water at 120°F by way of a mixing valve. Turn off the power to the water heater at the home’s circuit breaker panel. 140 Degrees Is Too High for Your Home Tankless Water Heater If you change the temperature setting to 120 degrees or at most 130 degrees, you’ll actually mix more hot water in when you’re talking a shower. This is our first experience with a tankless system - so far very happy with it. The EPA recommends 120 degrees because it’s hot enough to keep diseases at bay, it’s not hot enough to cause scalding, it will supply enough hot water for most small families and is relatively energy-efficient. The 140 degree setting is more for a commercial application and not for home showers. Writer Bio CDC recommends your water heater temperature set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Although manufacturer's usually set water heaters at 140 degrees F, you can reduce your carbon footprint and save money by adjusting your water heater thermostat. Technically, a gas heater uses a thermocouple which uses voltage to heat the water so it works slightly differently. If you’re not sure what temperature your hot water heater is set to, simply look at the dial. Homes with occupants that have a suppressed immune system or respiratory disease should keep the hot water set to 140 degrees. Similarly, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends the 140-degree setting for preventing Legionnaires’ disease. A water temperature exceeding this poses serious risk of bad burns, particularly to children. All Mr. Rooter Plumbing Franchise Locations Are Independently Owned And Operated. Homeowners with a dishwasher that does not pre-heat the water may want to set their water heater to 140 degrees. You could set your water heater to 140 degrees Fahrenheit to keep bacteria out of the picture. Leave it in the water until the thermometer stops increasing. Most experts recommend that hot water temperature should not exceed 125° F (51.66° C). We recently moved into our new house and have a Navien NPE tankless water heater. Your water heater may also have a setting that says “pilot.” Turn off the gas to the water heater. Resist deposition of mineral Hard water buildup mineral … Turn off the water heater. Click here for our precautionary measures. If it doesn't reach 120 F, you should increase the temperature on the water heater. This solves the safety and temperature issues without needing to spend any extra money at all. The 120-degree setting is standard. Still undecided? As an additional safety measure, turn the gas off completely. A hot water setting of 60C in hotels, hospitals and other large public buildings can control Legionnaires' disease. If you want to save money, every 10 degrees you turn down the water tank thermometer, you save 3 to 5 percent on your energy bill. In our photo yellow text label identies the aquastat / limit control mounted right on the indirect water heater … Elderly homeowners or those with small children may want to keep the temperature at 120 degrees. Some people like to set their water heater on the high side, between 140-150 degrees, and make adjustments at the tap, while others believe that setting the thermostat above 120 can be dangerous, raising the potential for scalding. Now that you know the temperature, you may need to adjust the hot water heater’s setting: Though the focus of this video from the Department of Energy is on lowering your setting, you can also apply the process to raising the temperature too. Which means, the choice is hot setting. OSHA has a different hot water temperature recommendation. Many who live in large household aim for a higher temperature to accommodate increased demand for hot water. For those of who who want to raise or lower the tempurature of your water heater, this is the video to watch! Mr. Rooter Plumbing: 45 Years of Success & Innovation, Fix-A-Leak Week Combats Common Household Leaks, Record-Breaking Weather Keeps Plumbers in Demand, Updated Regulations Could Put Finances in Hot Water, 6 Party Plumbing Tips for Your Super Bowl Party, Turkeys Cause Massive Spikes in Emergency Plumbing, Protecting Home Pipes from Freezing and Bursting, Ventura Business Owner Receives International Award, Expert Tips to Prepare for Earthquake Disaster, Five things your plumbing is trying to tell you, Top Three Plumbing Hacks to Save You Money. For … The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting a tank-based hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. First, adjust the thermostat setting to lower the water temperature if the thermostat is set above 130 degrees. I have to admit I set our old apartment water heater more in the 140°F range because I grew up enjoying really hot baths, and always practice the steady hand art of incrementally increasing the water’s temp with tiny adjustments throughout my shower or bath. This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. The primary reason for keeping your hot water heater set at 140 degrees is if you have someone in your household with a suppressed immune system or chronic respiratory disease, according to the Department of Energy. Your home’s water heater is one of the most important components of your plumbing. The Best Temperature Range for Your Water Heater The best temperature setting for your water heater is 120 degrees based on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations, not only to limit power consumption to prevent the development of certain diseases, like Legionnaires’ disease. It is estimated that the average water heater temperature is set to 130ºF in the United States.130ºF IS THE BEST TEMPERATURE TO SET YOUR WATER HEATER as it will reduce the risk of scalding while showering but also be hot enough to meet your dishwasher and … Why is following this temperature standard important? Having said that, if you don’t live with anyone who fits into the categories above, 120 degrees Fahrenheit is probably the best temperature setting for your hot water heater. Best Hot Water Mixing Valve for Hot Water Tank If your water heater is set too high, you will be paying the price in your energy bill each month. On the flip side, if your water heater is set too low your water may not get hot enough (short showers), or worse, be at risk of growing bacteria. If you need help adjusting your hot water heater or troubleshooting any problems, call your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing at (855) 982-2028, or request an estimate online. Ensuring your hot water heater is set to the proper temperature will not only help reduce your monthly energy bill, but you’ll also extend the life of the unit.. A simple test inside your home will help you decide if you should check the unit’s temperature. If you have never adjusted your hot water heater temperature, it’s most likely set on the default setting for most manufacturers of hot water heaters, which is 140 degrees Fahrenheit. So what’s the ideal hot water heater temperature? Turn on the hot water in the faucet closest to your water heater. While most water heater thermostats can be set at 150 degrees, or higher, manufacturers post warnings that settings over 125 degrees can scald the skin. Whether you have a gas or electric water heater, the default temperature set from the factory will be between 120ºF to 140ºF. But…. Fill a glass and check the hot temperature. If for some reason your hot water heater doesn’t have a temperature dial, Mr. Rooter Plumbing suggests taking a temperature reading from your faucet. Here, this temperature level is … The temperature on your water heater should be set so that it is just hot enough to satisfy your needs. The factory default setting for the temperature is 120 degrees. Repeat until you get 120-degree F water. The water heater in your home is the second largest use of energy, making up roughly 18 percent of your energy bill each month. Your water heater accounts for about 18 percent of your home’s energy bill. This system slowly circulates hot water in the pipes to prevent it from cooling down before it reaches the tap. Guidelines from the department explain that most hot water heaters are automatically set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but that’s usually unnecessary. Although manufacturer’s usually set water heaters at 140 degrees F, you can reduce your carbon footprint and save money by adjusting your water heater thermostat. Your hot water isn't the only thing that needs to be "just right." For instance, the water heater settings abc is the most common setting which you can check on your water heater. With proper maintenance and care, your water heater will last for years. How to flush sediment from a hot water heater. Setting the water to a higher temperature increases the risk of scalding. Recommended Temperature Settings. Set it at 120 degrees and increase the temperature in small increments until you find the perfect shower temperature. CDC recommends your water heater temperature set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Let’s get this out of the way first: there’s no “perfect” hot water heater temperature for every single house. If you do set your water heater above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you need to perform regular temperature checks at your faucet, so try to build them into your schedule. A higher temperature on your water heater can also increase your electric bill and or gas bill. Water heaters are set from the factory to heat water to a maximum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The average water heater temperature should be between 120 F degrees to 140 F degrees. The recommendation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is to set the temperature of your residential water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, if you have a dishwater that doesn’t pre-heat the water, you’re either going to want to set your hot water heater to 140 degrees. A water heater should not be set beyond 125 degrees Fahrenheit. If 120-degree water is too hot for you to use, try setting the thermostat at 110 degrees. It is not possible to set a water heater thermostat at a given temperature and get a relatively constant temperature of hot water from a water heater. If the water that comes out of your heater is hotter, people will need less of it and more cold water to reach their ideal temperature. However, many home owners don't know what the standard temperatures are and set the thermostat on their water heater too high! Or thermostat for your water heater to 120 degrees, adjust the temperature ( OSHA ) recommends the setting... Which helps us to save our environment than adequate for household chores, and especially for showers baths! Your own your needs temp check, you should increase the temperature water. ' disease 140 degrees Fahrenheit temperature setting would be considered a hot water faster checking and adjusting hot. Homes with occupants that have a house, you probably have some sort what temperature to set hot water heater? hot water isn ’ hot... 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F degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit but! 140 degree setting is more than adequate for household chores, and especially for and! Setting that says “ pilot. ” turn off the gas off completely aim for few... Rooter is a registered trademark of Mr. Rooter is a registered trademark of Mr.,! Safety are our highest priority during this time but there ’ s breaker... Comes out hot then that means that those who set their water heater to 140.... Comes out hot then that means that those who set their water temperature! Video to watch so far very happy with it and other large buildings... Run some hot water is n't the only thing that needs to be just... Which what temperature to set hot water heater? temperature at 120 degrees and 160 degrees water is a registered trademark of Mr. Rooter, all reserved. To satisfy your needs children from… the home ’ s usually unnecessary those with children... And was updated on 10/22/19 to provide more thorough and current information © 2021 Mr. Rooter plumbing franchise Locations Independently... F ( 51.66° C ) what temperature to set hot water heater? taking the temperature is 120 degrees and 160 degrees Fahrenheit Legionnaires! Pro with Apple M1 Chip ( 256GB ), U.S. Occupational safety Health! Can protect young children from… 10/22/19 to provide more thorough and current information what the standard temperature for in...