You might have gone through the situation while being in the shower the water is either too hot or not even warm. This happens because temperature settings are not right as it sometimes becomes tricky. If the water is too hot, it will cause skin issues like severe dryness and can damage your hair too. Not only that, also, you might not be aware about the fact that your water heater accounts for almost 18% of your electricity bill and will cost some extra bucks. Hence, it is important to know what is the best temperature for hot water heater.
Herein, you will find out the ideal temperature for the hot water heater which is based upon a few factors.
Factors that Affect the Hot Water Temperature Settings
The factors that contribute to the temperature are somehow affected with the plumbing you have whether it is PEX, copper or PVC and also the heating source. This happens regardless of your heater type (tankless or with tank).
Since the concern is to set the right temperature for the hot water heater, it comes with a default setting at 140 degrees F. Temperature below that, let’s say 120 degrees F is more likely to cause damage to the unit. Similarly, above 140 degrees F, the water will reach the burning level.
Here is what affects the water temperature the most
- Dishwasher
Usually, the dishwasher comes with the feature of preheating that heats the water before it washes. In case your dishwasher does not have this feature then you need to set the temperature of your water heater at 140 degrees.
- Health
When the temperature is set below the 120 degrees F, bacteria begins to grow on the surface of the unit that can cause health issues as well as the skin allergies. If you are dealing with a suppressed immune system then, the default temperature is recommended.
- Family Members
If you live alone then the amount of hot water required would be less, so, you can turn down the temperature at 120 degrees. However, for families of 4 and above, the water consumption is high so you will need an additional 20 degrees.
Note: With decreasing the temperature every 10 degrees can save you around 3 to 5% on the energy bill however, turning it down can risk the growth of the bacteria.
How to Adjust the Water Heater Temperature
This is how you can adjust the temperature according to your requirement
- Current Temperature
To adjust the temperature, you have to measure the current reading first. For that, turn the faucet on and place a thermostat under the water to know if there are any changes needed.
- Locate the Dial of Thermostat
The gas water heaters usually have their thermostat dial at the bottom while the electric water heater has it behind the screw on panels. In an electric heater, if you find 2 dials then one is for the upper and the other is for the lower heating element.
- Settings
To measure and adjust the settings, you have to turn the thermostat up or down from its starting point and wait for a while, probably for hours. In the meantime, measure the temperature and make the required adjustments. Once your reach the right temperature, mark it as a final temperature.
What Temperature Should I Set? Tips for Hot Water Heater
For hot water consumption on a daily basis, here are some tips that might be helpful.
- If you have small kids at home then, for them, lower the temperature to 120 degrees F. this is because kids are more likely to get third degree burns in just 2 seconds.
- In case you own a dishwasher that does not have the feature of pre-heating the water then you have to set the temperature at 140 degrees.
- People who are dealing with respiratory issues and suppressed immune systems, it is recommended to set it at 140 degree F.
- If you live alone, then obviously the water consumption is less so you can turn the temperature down. However, for a big house, the hot water consumption is high.
- For a small number of family members, you can set the temperature to 130 degrees F. It will also cut down the cost of your electricity.
FAQs
What is the Best Temperature for Hot Water Heater?
Speaking of the right temperature for a hot water heater, a temperature below 120 degrees F is favorable for bacterial growth in the base of your unit. However, the default temperature of the hot water heater is 140 degrees F.
If you live in a big house, the hot water will take a bit to reach the faucet, however, to maintain the consistency, you can keep it at the default temperature.
Is 130 degrees F too Hot for Water Heaters?
The right temperature for a hot water heater lies within the range of 120 F to 140 F. below or
above than that could be hazardous for both the user and the unit likewise.
Turning the temperature high can also add extra bucks to your bill and can cause burns. However, setting your temperature at 130 F is not ideal but can work for you.
Trick for Getting the Right Hot Water Temperature
Obviously there are rules for how to do it right but here is the trick, heat your water at 140 degrees F. Once the required temperature is fulfilled, all you have to do is mix it with the cold water and decrease the temperature to 120 degrees F to maintain the warmth.
In the End
A hot water heater regulates the hot water but guessing what temperature is ideal could be tricky. There is a different opinion by both the manufacturers and the energy department to agree over one temperature. Commonly, the hot water heater comes with a 140 degrees temperature by default however, 120 degrees F is considered to be safe and prevents scalding.