Top Tips For Adjusting Water Heater Thermostat Settings

The default temperature settings for different water heaters are set at various temperatures. You might not be able to use your water heater on default settings since the temperature can be fairly high and the water can be too hot for your skin.

The good news is that you can adjust the temperature settings on your water heater at any time. With the following tips, you can set your water heater, enjoy shower time, stay in good health, and improve the efficiency and lifespan of your heater.

Check the Manual

Different types and models of water heater systems have different methods of adjusting the temperature settings. If you are going to do it yourself, ensure you read through the manufacturer's manual and follow each step correctly.

If you cannot find your water heater's print manual, check on the manufacturer's website. In addition to the manual, the manufacturer will undoubtedly have other resources, such as instructional videos, to help adjust the temperature settings.

Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold

Set your water heater at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, and you will expose yourself and other household members to a serious scalding risk. If you go with the 140-degree Fahrenheit setting, which is actually the default for some water heaters, you may want to protect yourself by getting an anti-scald device.

Manufacturers set the default temperature setting relatively high to protect against bacteria. Bacteria can thrive in colder water temperatures, so to avoid potential health hazards, ensure you don't set the temperature too low. 

Get Professional Help

What happens if you have adjusted the water heater temperature settings, but there doesn't seem to be any noticeable difference in the water temperature? It is not uncommon to get it wrong when you do it yourself; if this happens, you will want to call in a professional plumber.

Using a specialized thermometer, the plumber will examine the water heater's settings and make the necessary adjustments. The plumber can also look for accumulated sediment and other causes of the same water temperature even after adjusting the settings.

Find the Balance

With your water heater thermostat settings, you want to strike a balance between comfort and saving costs. You can tweak your settings until you get to that sweet spot that allows you to enjoy a hot shower without worrying about the utility bill coming back too high at the end of the month.

Call a plumber if you need help with your water heater. 

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