Is the water coming out of your faucets too hot? If so, it's important to adjust the water temperature immediately. Too-hot water can pose a major safety hazard for you and your family. It also gobbles up more energy, leaving you with a higher gas or electric bill! According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning down your water heater just 20 degrees could result in energy savings of up to 22 percent. The good news? It's generally quite simple to adjust the temperature of your water heater. Here's how.
How to Adjust Each Type of Water Heater
Whether you have a gas, electric or tankless water heater, it shouldn't take long to turn down the water temperature. However, each type requires a slightly different process:
-
Gas: Gas water heaters usually have a dial on the outside of the unit, usually located toward the bottom. You should be able to use this dial to manually adjust the temperature.
-
Electric: Electric water heaters usually have two separate dials for adjusting the temperature. Both should be set to the same temperature so that if you adjust one, you make the same adjustment to the other. You may need to remove an access panel before you can access the dial.
-
Tankless: Central tankless water heaters usually have a control panel where you can adjust the temperature. POU (or point of use) devices can be installed on individual appliances or faucets so you can customize temperature settings for different uses and as needed. This option is helpful for people who want to set a lower water temperature in one place, such as the bathtub where children bathe, while using hotter water elsewhere in the house.
Determining the Right Temperature for Your Water Heater
The ideal water temperature may differ from home to home. Many water heaters are installed with a standard setting of 120 degrees. Those hoping to save on energy costs may want to turn their water heaters down to about 110 degrees. Another good reason to turn down your water temperature is to keep young children safe. According to the Mayo Clinic, you can help protect your child from burns by keeping your water heater set at 120 degrees or below.
What If Turning It Down Didn't Work?
If your water is still too hot after you've adjusted the temperature setting on your water heater and waited the appropriate amount of time, there could be an issue with your thermostat. It's best to call in a professional service for repairs if this is the case.
If you could use a hand dealing with your water heater or have questions about your home's water temperature, contact the helpful experts at The Pink Plumber now.
