Most people use hot water every day. From doing dishes to running a load of laundry to taking a shower, having running hot water is an important part of our lives. However, it is sometimes necessary to adjust the hot water’s temperature. First we’ll look at a couple reasons why people consider adjusting the temperature of their hot water, and then we’ll quickly walk through the steps you take to change the temperature.
Why might you consider adjusting the temperature of your hot water?
- Water heater temperature settings can vary. Some come set at a temperature of 140 degrees F. Water that hot can scald your skin in under 5 seconds. Consider adjusting it to around 120 degrees F, especially if you have young children in your home.
- Not only are hot water heaters set at a lower temperature safer for children, they can also reduce your energy costs. Try lowering the temperature of your hot water by even just 10 degrees to see a reduction in your bill.
- Save even further by lowering your hot water heater’s temperature when you go on vacation. Little tweaks like this make a difference.
- How do you adjust the temperature setting on your hot water heater?
- The first, and most important, step in adjusting the temperature is to turn off the power to your hot water heater. Go to the breaker box, and flip the switch to off. Only once you’re certain that the power is off should you move on to step 2.
- On the front of your hot water heater, you will find 2 panels that have been screwed on, one located above the other. These panels house the hot water heater’s 2 thermostats. Unscrew the top panel and lift the insulation underneath.
- You will see a dial marked with either letters or numbers. Turning the dial clockwise increases the water temperature, while turning it counterclockwise decreases it. Turn the dial to the temperature you desire. Replace the insulation and screw the panel back on.
- Move on to the bottom panel. Follow the same process you did for the top panel, removing the insulation so you can access the dial. Since heat rises and the hot water in the top of the tank is often hotter than the water at the bottom of the tank, it is recommended to set the bottom dial between 5 and 10 degrees lower than the top dial.
- Once you have set the dials to the temperatures you desire, screw the panels back on.
As you can see, adjusting the temperature of your hot water can be a wise choice, but what if circumstances prevent you from adjusting it yourself? You may be short on free time, may have limited mobility or may simply prefer the convenience of working with Plumbing Detectives you can trust. Reach out to a friend, family member or professional to get experience and support you can rely on, and take control of your hot water temperature today.
sources: Wayfarer / Studio McGee / BHG
Bathtub/shower faucets that limit the maximum temperature of the water are so important, whether you have kids or not. A friend’s child was seriously burned when the nanny ran the bath water too hot–the girl is now a teen and continues to need operations to adjust her scar tissue as she grows.
Another friend, an adult, passed out in the shower and got burned as she hit the hot water knob as she fell and extremely hot water scalded her.
We were staying with friends whose tub had the hot and cold reversed (and the knobs weren’t even right!). Giving our kid a bath, I added what I thought was cold water, but it was hot. Our child started screaming, and that’s when the friends said, oh, yeah, our bathroom is quirky. (We yanked our kid out before damage was done and ran real cold water right away).
The argument for raising the temp of the hot water heater is if you have visitors and might not have enough for the extra showers. But a temperature guard is even more vital then.
Omg, these are horror stories! That poor little girl. Yes, a temperature guard is vital!