How To Raise Temp On Water Heater

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The water temperature in your home has a very delicate balance—also high and y'all risk being scalded; too low and you'll exist stuck shivering under a lukewarm shower. Fortunately, adjusting a hot water heater is simple, provided that you're careful. For your ain prophylactic, shut off the power to the h2o heater at your home's main circuit billow. And then, unscrew the admission panel on the side of the unit and use a flat-blade screwdriver to enhance or lower the temperature according to the ranges listed on the dial. When you're finished, be certain to exam your h2o temperature earlier hopping in the shower.

1
Consider whether your h2o temperature is in demand of adjusting. For safe reasons, nearly manufacturers recommend that the water you lot employ in your homestay at effectually 120 °F (49 °C). Most water heaters volition already be gear up to this temperature when they're installed. To limit the risk of injury, it'southward best to just leave it alone in nigh cases.^[one]
- If your h2o seems unusually common cold, the problem may exist a broken heating chemical element or poor insulation rather than the temperature of the water heater itself. A qualified plumber can assistance diagnose and repair a faulty water heater.^[2]
2
Twist the punch on the bottom of the water heater to alter the temperature. Gas water heaters are like shooting fish in a barrel—they feature a unmarried knob that controls the amount of rut beingness directed to the unit of measurement. Turning this knob to the left (counterclockwise) will crank upward the temperature, making the water hotter. Turning it to the right (clockwise) will cool it downward.^[3]
- On the bulk of gas water heaters, the lower temperature range will exist somewhere around 90–110 °F (32–43 °C), while the upper range will acme out at around 140–150 °F (60–66 °C).
- The dial on your gas water heater may not be numbered, which tin can make finding the perfect temperature a little tricky. Ane simple way effectually this is to accept the temperature of the h2o a few times after altering your settings, then tag the exact degree reading or marker information technology on the dial itself.^[four]
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three
Increase the temperature to savor warmer water for cleaning and bathing. There are a couple advantages of having hotter water in your home. For one, it can make a shower or soak in the tub more luxurious, since you lot won't have to worry nearly running out of hot water as quickly. It can also give appliances that don't utilize preheated h2o (like dishwashers and washing machines) a heave, which will aid get muddied items cleaner.^[5]
- Hotter temperatures are more than effective for eliminating most common leaner, including health hazards like Legionella, Eastward. coli, and staphylococcus.^[6]
- Avoid setting your h2o heater to a temperature college than 120 °F (49 °C). Doing so can present a serious risk of burns, particularly for children and the elderly.^[vii]
iv
Subtract the temperature to salvage money on your utilities. Heating large quantities of water gets expensive fast. If you're looking to shave a few dollars off your adjacent heating bill, consider lowering your water heater'south temperature setting to the 100–110 °F (38–43 °C) range. Even a pocket-size alter tin can relieve you big over the class of a few months.^[eight]
- Proceed in mind that your water won't get every bit hot, which may impact your comfort or the level of sanitation for cleaning projects.

i
Close off the power to the water heater. Head to your home's central circuit breaker and locate the switch corresponding to the water rut. Flip this switch to the "Off" position. This will cut off the electricity flowing to the unit, allowing yous to open it up without fear of being zapped.^[9]
- Don't try to make whatever alterations to your water estrus before double checking that the ability is safely off.
- If the billow for your water heater isn't labeled, information technology may exist necessary to employ a multimeter to exam for a live current. Y'all're looking for a reading of zero volts. Don't forget to tag the correct breaker when you're done.^[10]
ii
Remove the admission panel from the side of the unit. Identify the two screws at the peak and bottom of the panel and employ a flat-bract screwdriver to loosen them. Pull the panel costless from the body of the unit of measurement and fix it aside somewhere nearby. Exist careful not to lose the screws.^[xi]
- On some models, in that location may exist a dissever plastic cover beneath the metallic admission panel. This should come up away easily with a gentle tug.
3
Pull out or push aside the insulation roofing the thermostat. Within the water heater, you'll detect a thicker layer of insulation. If information technology's a single piece made from styrofoam or similar material, you'll exist able to simply lift it out. Movement fiberglass insulation out of the style by manus to clear a path to the thermostat controls.^[12]
- The insulation inside a water heater is used to reduce estrus loss and ensure more authentic readings.
four
Employ a apartment-bract screwdriver to heighten or lower the temperature setting. The high- and depression-terminate temperature ranges will be displayed at the bottom of the thermostat. Insert the tip of the screwdriver into the colored adjusting screw to change the temperature. Twisting information technology to the left (counterclockwise) will decrease the temperature while twisting it to the right (clockwise) volition increase it.^[13]
- The adjusting screws on newer electric water heaters feature indicator hands which tell you approximately how hot the electric current setting is. Pay attention to where the paw rests, every bit this will allow you to fine-tune your water temperature more than precisely.^[fourteen]
- If your water heater makes use of dual heating elements, make certain both thermostats are ready to the aforementioned temperature so that one isn't forced to do more work than the other.
5

Replace the insulation and admission panel. When you're satisfied with the new temperature setting, put everything back the way y'all found information technology. Make sure the insulation is completely roofing the internal thermostat, then fit both protective covers back into place and tighten the screws to secure them.
half dozen
Restore the power to the water heater. Return to your main breaker and toggle the switch for the h2o heater to the "On" position. The electricity will once over again exist live, and then avert making any farther tweaks later on this point.^[fifteen]
- It may take up to an 60 minutes for your running water to reach its maximum temperature later having your unit shut off for an extended period.

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1
Fill up a glass with hot water. Turn on the tap nearest to the water heater and allow it to run for a total minute. One time information technology's as hot every bit information technology can get, hold a drinking drinking glass or like container under the stream until you've caught a few inches.^[16]
- For the almost authentic reading possible, it's best to employ a container that'southward been kept at room temperature.
2
Insert a cooking thermometer into the hot h2o. Have your thermometer on standby then you lot tin drop information technology in every bit soon as yous've filled the container. Brand sure the probe is fully submerged, so wait 30-lx seconds for it to gauge the temperature.^[17]
- Write down the number you become for reference. Information technology can help you piece of work out the ideal temperature range for your home, or point to potential heating issues outside of the unit of measurement itself.
- If you don't identify the thermometer in the water right abroad, the h2o may have a risk to absurd down plenty to throw off your reading.
3
Determine whether the h2o is hot enough. Assuming that the temperature is at or around 120 °F (49 °C), you tin rest assured that your water heater is performing upward to snuff. Any lower than that and it may need to exist bumped upwardly a few degrees. Remember that temperatures exceeding 120 °F (49 °C) will exist too intense for nigh domicile.
- Increase your h2o temperature in x degree increments to reduce the risk of scalding.
iv
Wait three hours before retesting the water temperature. Information technology will take a little time for your water heater to take hold of up to the new temperature setting, so be patient while it reaches the desired warmth. In the concurrently, hold off on running a bath or operating any appliances in instance the water existence circulated is hotter than you intended.^[18]
- Take care of any necessary adjustments before everyone in your dwelling begins their daily routine.

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Question

What are the letters ABC on a water heater for?

Sealweasel

Community Answer

They are temperature settings. A is the lowest, and C is the highest/hottest. These letters appear on the knob on the water heater.
Question

My h2o heater setting control says A, B, C. How do I know if A is the lowest or C is the lowest temperature?

Sealweasel

Community Answer

A is the lowest temperature. C is the highest temperature and B is in betwixt.

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Consider dropping the temperature of your water heater during the spring and summertime months when yous tend to apply less hot water.
Non-domestic establishments like restaurants may exist able to get by using a temperature setting equally high as 140 °F (60 °C).

Thank you for submitting a tip for review!

It simply takes 2 seconds to receive third-degree burns from water heated to 140–150 °F (60–66 °C)
If you have whatever doubts near your ability to adjust your water heater safely and correctly yourself, call a professional person plumber for help.
Never effort to tamper with a water heater if you're not familiar with how the controls work. I bad mistake and it could start a very big trouble.

Things You'll Need

Apartment-blade screwdriver
Cooking or candy thermometer
Drinking drinking glass or similar container
Multimeter tool (for reading breaker voltage)

About This Article

Article Summary X

If your hot water isn't the right temperature, you lot can conform it in a few minutes. For gas heaters, all you need to do is twist the temperature dial at bottom of the heater. For electric heaters, you'll need to remove the access panel and insulation covering to admission the temperature dial. Merely make sure you lot shut off the circuit breaker for the water commencement to avoid the risk of electrocuting yourself. Employ a flathead screwdriver to adjust the temperature dial. Well-nigh manufacturers recommend 120 degrees Fahrenheit, only you can set the temperature a piddling lower to relieve money. If your dial isn't numbered, test the water temperature with a cooking thermometer or but apply your fingers, and so arrange it accordingly. For more than tips, including how to adjust a water heater with dual heating elements, read on!

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