An important factor related to water heaters and homeowners must know about it is what temperature to set a water heater. Many people don’t take this seriously but it plays an important role in performance of your heaters and delivering hot water according to your needs. Setting the water heater to low temperature can lead to lukewarm water or risks of bacteria, setting to higher temperature includes risk of higher bills and also scalding injuries. So for this you should have to choose the right water heater temperature.
In this guide from MileHi HVAC you will know about what is the recommended temperature, what steps you have to follow for balancing comfort, efficiency and your utility bills.
Why water heater temperature matters
The role of your water heater is not only delivering hot water it affects other things also like safety, life span of system and utility bills. So understanding about water heater temperature is important because many homeowners take this lightly and set their temperature wrong which affects the entire system.
Why right temperature setting matters:
- Reduces monthly energy bills
- Maintains the lifespan of system
- Prevents sudden accidents like burning
- Maintains health through minimizing growth of bacteria
That’s why knowing about what temperature to set a water heater helps you to keep your system working effectively in the longer run.
Recommended water heater temperature
So according to experts the best and ideal temperature for water heaters is 120F (49C) as with this temperature setting water heaters deliver normal hot water for use without any risk and energy wastage.
So this recommended water heater temperature of 120F is also approved by many professional and plumbing companies as it maintains balance between safety and comfort both. The temperature setting also depends upon homeowners needs like medical requirements or for dishwashes some people need slightly higher water temperature.
Normal water heater temperature
The normal water heater temperature in many homes is 120F and 140F although 140F is still considered excessive for normal household usage. It is also observed that older systems come as default factory reset with higher temperatures which require some adjustments like normal for usage after installation.
So if you keep your system with normal water heater temperature you will enjoy consistent comfort and efficiency without any compromise and further related issues.
Typical water heater temperature ranges
For clear understanding and setting the normal temperature of your water heaters here is the general breakdown that you can follow easily.
Below 120F
- It saves energy
- Sometimes may deliver lukewarm water
- Higher risk of bacterial growth
120F ( Ideal and recommended)
- Energy efficient
- Normal for bathing and cleaning
- Safe and reliable for daily use
Above 130F or 140F
- Affects the system lifespan
- Increases utility bills
- Risk of burning and scalding
So typical water heater temperature for modern homes which require safety, efficiency and comfort 120F is the best. This is also recommended to follow the typical water heater temperature given by plumbing codes in many regions.
Read More: How to Adjust Water Heater Temperature?
What is ideal hot water heater temperature for efficiency
As people are moving towards buying new HVAC appliances, energy efficiency also matters a lot to them. So the ideal hot water heater temperature for maintaining efficiency and comfort is 120F.
Why ideal temperature setting is important
- Prevents damages of overheating
- Keeps utility bills normal
- Delivers normal and reliable hot water whenever required
MileHi HVAC expert team also believe that ideal hot water heater temperature is the best as it only delivers benefits not any danger and leads to better performance.
Guidance for adjusting water heater temperature safely
Adjusting temperature is not a rough tough task but you have to be concerned about safety. Here are some safety steps that you have to follow like:
Electric water heaters
- Turn off the electrical supply from the breaker
- Remove the access panels
- Adjust temperature on thermostat using screwdriver
Gas water heaters
- Turn off the gas supply from valve
- Find the temperature dial
- Set to warm or ideal temperature of 120F
- Avoid adjusting very high temperature
One of the most important things is that if you are unsure and don’t have experience then seek help from professionals like MileHi HVAC to avoid any damage.
Temperature Setting on Water Heater Thermostat for Optimal Performance
Setting the best temperature for a hot water heater is important and a very smart decision. You can easily adjust the recommended water heater temperature for residential use through a thermostat. If in your homes there are elderly or also children, you have to be very careful regarding the temperature of the water heater. At the thermostat you can easily adjust the temperature to high or low as per indications. But the best temperature for a hot water heater, for all members, any type of usage is 120F. So this easy setting on the thermostat maintains the normal water heater temp reducing the risk of energy usage and scalding.
Mistakes to avoid
In the process of adjusting temperature and keeping normal water heater temp many homeowners make these mistakes like:
- Setting too high temperature
- Forgetting seasonal adjustments
- Not setting temperature according to guidelines
- Not checking temperature properly
So you have to avoid these mistakes to keep your system working effectively all year round.
Conclusion
So knowing about what temperature to set a water heater helps you in many aspects like saving energy bills, protects you and family, and maintains the system life. For most households 120F is the ideal temperature and proves to be effective.
If you are confused or need heater maintenance in Denver our certified team at MileHi HVAC is always ready to help you for maintaining your comfort and safety.
Final Thoughts
What temperature should I set my water heater to?
The normal temperature which is safe, comfortable and recommended is 120F.
Is 140°F too hot for a water heater?
It is very high temperature for normal use until recommended because it leads to risk of burning and scalding.
Does higher water temperature mean higher bills?
Yes if your temperature setting is higher then you also have to pay higher energy bills.
Can low water heater temperature cause health issues?
Yes, low temperatures are also not safe. Through this there are chances of bacterial growth.
Should I change my water heater temperature seasonally?
It is recommended to make minor adjustments but mostly set temperature to 120F which is best.
