Setting your water heater temperature is the key to having enough hot water to clean dishes and clothes, and for nice hot showers and baths.
However, you don’t want to set your hot water heater temperature too high—you could scald yourself and you may waste energy.
Using a water heater temperature setting that is too low means you might run out of hot water when you need it most. And a lower temperature can invite bacterial growth, which creates health risks.
Choosing the right hot water temperature setting keeps you from both extremes.
Ideal water temperature setting
You might wonder what temperature a water heater should be set to. Most experts suggest the ideal hot water setting range is between 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit. What is ideal and best for your situation might be different.
Generally speaking, homes with young children or elderly people, who are prone to getting burned by hot water, should use a water heater temperature setting on the low end of the scale. If you live alone, you won’t use as much hot water, so you can go with a lower hot water heater temperature setting.
On the other hand, if someone in your household has immunity issues, a hotter setting can reduce the risk of bacterial growth in your hot water. If you have appliances that need hot water and don’t have the ability to heat it, the higher hot water temperature makes sense. If many people are using hot water in your home, a higher hot water temperature setting can ensure you have enough hot water to go around.
You may want to raise your water heater temperature during cold weather, as water cools down as it moves from your heater through cold pipes in your house.
While your hot water heater can operate safely up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, that temperature is too high to be safe. It will also drive up your energy costs.
How to check your water heater’s temperature
If you’re running out of hot water or if you can’t seem to get the water hot enough, you may need to check on your hot water heater temperature setting. You may want to read about how to adjust a water heater in case your water heater isn’t set at the right level.
Some hot water heaters have a temperature gauge on them, making it easy to check how hot the water is. For others, you may need to run your hot water through a nearby faucet for 30-60 seconds and use a thermometer to check the temperature.
On the typical gas water heater temperature control knob, you will find various settings. “Off” is sometimes labeled as “Low” or has a solid circle indicator. Choosing this setting will heat the water to 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit. Next on the dial is “Hot,” sometimes indicated with a triangle, which will get your water to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Your dial may feature additional settings marked with 1, 2 and 3, or A, B and C, for 130, 140 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. The “Very Hot” setting is for 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Some units have a “Pilot” setting to use when re-lighting the pilot light. You might also have a “Vacation” setting that keeps the unit off while you’re away.
Electric hot water heaters have similar controls, but don’t have a need for the pilot light function.
Need more help? Call the water heater experts
You don’t have to go it alone when it comes to setting your water heater temperature or maintaining your water heater. Contact Constellation Home for reliable and professional help in adjusting, repairing or replacing most makes and models of water heaters. Give us a call and put your water heater in the best of hands.
