When it comes to hot water for washing dishes, doing laundry and taking showers, your water heater plays a crucial role. Not only does it affect your comfort, but it also affects energy consumption, safety and the lifespan of your appliances. To keep hot water available, energy efficiency high and safety hazards low, it’s important to set the temperature correctly.
Impact on Appliances and Plumbing
Many of your plumbing and appliance systems are sensitive to the water heater’s temperature setting. Excessive heat from the water can wear out pipes and appliances faster than they should, which can lead to damage and expensive repairs sooner rather than later.
Mineral deposits can accumulate in pipes due to higher temperatures, which is particularly common in regions with hard water. Appliances might have their water flow restricted, their efficiency reduced and their lifespan shortened due to these deposits. In contrast, if you turn the thermostat down too low, your water heater will have to work harder to keep up with demand, which can be taxing on its components.
Energy Efficiency and Water Heater Temperature
The temperature of your water heater affects both its efficiency and the amount of money you spend on utilities. For maximum efficiency, the U.S. Department of Energy suggests a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, or 49 degrees Celsius. The water heater uses less energy and your monthly utility bills go down when the water is at this temperature.
Energy savings of three to five percent are possible for every 10-degree drop in temperature. Problems can arise, though, when the temperature is set too low; dangerous bacteria like Legionella can flourish in water that is just slightly warmer than bath water. Finding the sweet spot where efficiency meets safety is paramount. Getting an insulated water heater or setting it to operate only when needed will help you save even more money on energy bills if that’s your main concern.
Recommended Temperature for Water Heaters
Experts agree that water heaters work best when heated to a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot water at this temperature is ideal for most home uses, and it also reduces the likelihood of burns and the spread of bacteria. Some homes may need to lower the temperature a bit because of things like the presence of elderly people or young children who are more prone to burns.
Setting the water heater to 140 degrees Fahrenheit is a good idea if you have a dishwasher that doesn’t preheat the water, a lot of people living in your house or someone with a compromised immune system. This temperature keeps bacteria and germs at bay, makes sure your dishwasher cleans and sanitizes dishes well and keeps the water hot even when there’s a lot of use. It is crucial to exercise caution, though, because water at this temperature can scald in under two seconds.
How to Adjust Water Heater Temperature
It won’t take you more than a few minutes to change the temperature setting on your water heater. For safety reasons, you should turn off the power to the heater before making any adjustments. A thermostat dial located close to the heater’s base is standard on most contemporary models. You might be able to access the thermostat for your gas water heater through a panel on the front of the device.
In electric models, you’ll typically find two thermostats, one behind a screw-off panel for the upper element and another for the lower heating element. When you find it, turn the dial to adjust the temperature. Allow the water heater some time to adjust to the new setting by making small adjustments at first.
Using a water thermometer at the faucet is a smart way to make sure the water is at the right temperature. A skilled plumber can guide you through this process if you’re confused about what to do.
Factors Affecting the Best Temperature Setting
The best temperature for your home’s water heater depends on a number of things. One of the main things to think about is the weather. A slightly higher temperature might be necessary in colder areas to make up for heat loss while it travels through the pipes. A higher setting may also work better for larger households to guarantee that there is adequate hot water for multiple activities, such as running the dishwasher and taking a shower at the same time.
Considerations of health and safety may influence your choice. Another consideration is the hardness of the water supply; in houses with exceptionally hard water, mineral deposits can accumulate more quickly when the temperature is higher. To keep your water heater running smoothly and safely, it’s important to do routine maintenance and make modifications according to these parameters.
Preventing Scalding Risks
To further lessen the likelihood of burns, some water heaters have a tempering valve or anti-scald technology that mixes cold and hot water before it reaches the faucet. It might be prudent to install these security measures for residences that house especially vulnerable people. Checking the water temperature at the faucets on a regular basis, particularly after making modifications, might help you detect any irregularities and avoid possible harm.
Maintaining Consistent Water Temperature
The water temperature will stay consistent as it flows through your plumbing system if you insulate your water heater and the pipes that go out of it. Another way to keep your water heater in good working order and ensure a consistent temperature is to flush the tank regularly to remove sediment buildup. Make sure to check the thermostat every so often; it’s easy to accidentally change the settings or for them to lose some of their accuracy over time.
If you need your water heater serviced, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Our highly skilled technicians will quickly diagnose the problem and fix it so that your system runs at peak efficiency. We can also help with temperature settings and thermostat calibration.