How To Adjust Your Water Heater Temp in 7 Steps

If it feels like you’re waiting for your shower to heat up and it never gets past lukewarm or it feels like the water is at a painfully scalding temperature, you can do something about it.There’s no need to settle for a water heater that runs too hot or too cold. Achieve that just-right shower by learning how to set your water heater temp safely and correctly.

Let’s take a look at what temperature your water heater should be at and how to set a water heater temp safely, whether you have an electric or gas water heater.

The Correct Temperature Setting for Water Heaters

What is the right temperature setting for your water heater? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends a water heater temperature setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Bacteria are less likely to survive at that temperature, and it's not hot enough to cause scalding.

At 120 degrees, your water heater will be able to supply enough hot water for your family while being more energy efficient. However, depending on your home’s needs, you may require hotter water.

7 Steps To Adjust Your Water Heater Temp

If you take some time to familiarize yourself with your water heater, you can learn to identify whether you have a leaky water heater or if you need to learn how to adjust the water heater temp safely. If you’ve ruled out other issues, here’s how to adjust the hot water heater temperature setting.

1. Know the safety risks

Can something as simple as a water heater be dangerous? Yes, it can! There are risks involved in both the process of adjusting the water heater and the problem of water temperature that isn’t right.

Any time you are dealing with electricity and water, there is inherent risk. To protect yourself, make sure to follow all instructions for adjusting the temperature carefully and call on service professionals if you aren’t sure what to do.

It’s important to have the correct water heater temp setting to avoid the following risks:

• Bacterial contamination: If the water isn’t hot enough, it can be a breeding ground for bacteria like Legionella pneumophila, the source of Legionnaires’ disease, which is a dangerous lung infection.
• Burns to the skin: If the water is too hot, it can cause scalding injuries. Children, infants, people with disabilities, and older adults are especially susceptible to burns caused by high temperatures. At 150 degrees Fahrenheit, it takes less than two seconds to suffer third-degree burns. These burns may require hospitalization, and the people most at risk of burns are also more likely to experience a difficult recovery period than other people.

These risks are present in gas or electric water heaters, so it’s important to take precautions no matter which type of water heater you have.

2. Turn off the power

Some water heaters have switches to turn off power to the unit, but to be as safe as possible, turn off power to the water heater at the home’s circuit breaker panel.

3. Locate the dial or thermostat

Find the dial or thermostat for your water heater. The location of the dial will vary depending on the model and type of water heater. In most cases, you will find the dial behind an insulated panel. For electric models, there are often two — one at the top of the tank and another at the bottom.

4. Adjust the water heater temp

Here’s how to adjust the temperature on a gas water heater: Turn the water heater temperature knob counterclockwise to increase the temperature or clockwise to decrease it.

Here’s how to adjust the temperature on an electric water heater: First, access the dial behind the insulated panel. To do this, open the access panel using a flathead screwdriver.

Then, push aside the insulated covering and use the screwdriver to lower or raise the temperature to the desired range. If the water heater has two thermostats, make sure both are set to the same temperature.

5. Replace the insulation and reinstall the access panel

After you’ve adjusted the temperature, replace the insulation and access panel once you are satisfied with the water temperature adjustment. Make sure you fit the insulation back into its original position so that none is sticking out. When you reinstall the panel, don’t over-tighten the screws.

6. Turn the power back on

After you’ve replaced the insulation and access panel, you can turn the water heater’s power on again. If the pilot light has gone out, follow the water heater’s instructions for relighting it.

7. Test the water temperature

Before taking a shower or using hot water, always test the water temperature. Testing will show you whether the water is at a safe and appropriate temperature: above 120 and below 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This range will stop bacteria from forming while preventing scalding.

Allow the water to heat to the new temperature setting, run water from the tap until it is hot, then collect some in a cup and test the temperature with a cooking thermometer. It may take as long as an hour for the water to reach the new temperature after shutting off the unit. It can take significantly longer (as many as 12 hours) to reheat the water in the tank if you had to drain it for some reason.

If the water heater still isn’t warming up to the correct temperature, try some water heater troubleshooting to see what the problem is. The unit may not be getting power or gas, or it could be corroded inside the tank. While water heaters are designed to last for years, you will eventually need to replace them.

Get Help Setting Your Water Heater Temperature With Mr. Rooter Plumbing^®

If you can’t figure out how to adjust the water heater temp on your unit or you find other water heater problems that you can’t handle on your own, schedule an appointment with Mr. Rooter Plumbing.

You can count on the local team of experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. We’ll be there when you need help figuring out if it’s time to repair or replace your water heater or to ensure your water is at an ideal temperature to meet your family’s needs.