How to Adjust Your Electric Hot Water Heater Temperature

How to Adjust Your Electric Hot Water Heater Temperature
1. Turn off the circuit breaker for the water heater at the
electrical box. Electric water heaters use 240 Volts so it is
usually two circuit breakers that switch together. If it is
not listed on the location sheet inside of the panel, be on
the safe side and turn off all the power.
2. Remove the access panel on the water heater with a
screwdriver.
3. Carefully remove the insulation. The thermostat
probably looks like this:
Turn this knob with a flathead screwdriver to
change the temperature.
4. There may be an upper and a lower heating unit, in
which case there will be two thermostats behind two
panels.
5. Set both, or one if that is all there is, to the same
temperature using a flathead screwdriver. The US
Department of Energy suggests that homeowners note the
beginning temperature and adjusted temperature and check
the tap temperature at the faucet farthest from the heater.
Make adjustments until the desired tap temperature, in this
case 120 degrees, is reached.
6. Replace insulation and access panel.
7. Turn the circuit breaker on.
8. Let the temperature in your hot water heater settle to the new temperature. Check after 24 hours at the
faucet farthest from you hot water heater with a meat thermometer. It should read 120 degrees
Fahrenheit. If it is hotter or colder, go back to Step 1 and adjust as necessary.
Setting the hot water heater thermostat to 120-degrees is an easy way to save money and energy. It also
helps keep your family safe!!!
How to Adjust Your Gas Hot Water Heater Temperature
Before starting, make sure you know how to re-light the pilot in your gas hot water heater. Of course,
it's best to consult your owners' manual, but if you don't know where it is, this is a general how-to for
setting your hot water heater's temperature. Remember, don’t use any open flames near your gas
appliance. Do not use candles for lighting or smoke tobacco near your gas hot water heater.
1. Find your gas valve and temperature
adjustment dial.
2. Turn the adjustment dial to change the
temperature. Different models may have the
Vacation, Warm and Hot setting in a
different configuration. Some models may
have approximate degrees, “A, B, C, D, E”
or “1, 2, 3, 4, 5” instead of the markings on
this dial. Turn the dial so that the
temperature setting lines up with the mark at
the top of the control. (This one is set WAY
too hot.)
3. Remember, the setting on your hot water heater dial may be incorrect. Set the dial to 120 degrees
Fahrenheit (to the best of your ability). Let the temperature adjust for 24 hours and check the
temperature at the faucet farthest from you hot water heater with a meat thermometer. It should read
120 degrees. If the temperature is hotter or colder, go back to Step 1 and adjust as necessary.
Setting the hot water heater thermostat to 120-degrees is an easy way to save money and energy. It also
helps keep your family safe!!!