How do I adjust the thermostat on my hot water heater?
Gas or electric water heaters Start by turning off power to the water heater at the circuit breaker. Find the access panel for the thermostat(s) and use a screwdriver to remove the panel. Peel back the insulation. Use a flathead screwdriver to adjust the thermostat up or down.
What should my hot water tank thermostat be set at?
120 degrees Fahrenheit
The short answer: 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the preset thermostat temperature in most new water heaters, and it’s the recommended setting of the U.S. Department of Energy. At this temperature, harmful pathogens like the kind that cause Legionnaires’ disease are prevented from multiplying and may be killed.
How do you check if a thermostat is bad on a hot water heater?
If you turn the hot water tap and cold water runs out, then the upper thermostat is damaged. But if the water is hot that becomes later becomes cold, then you have a damaged lower thermostat.
How does a hot water system thermostat work?
An electric water heater thermostat tells the heating elements when to heat up. The elements do not heat up at the same time. The top element heats the water first and then the bottom element kicks in. The upper thermostat acts as a coordinator between the two elements.
Why does my hot water heater have 2 thermostats?
Electrical Water Heater Thermostats It controls both the upper and lower elements. Most electric water heaters above 20 gallons have two thermostats that sense the temperature of the water in both the top and bottom of the tank. The upper thermostat is the boss and always tells the lower thermostat what to do.
What is the best temperature for my hot water heater?
120 degrees
So, what is the best temperature range for your water heater? The EPA recommends 120 degrees because it’s hot enough to keep diseases at bay, it’s not hot enough to cause scalding, it will supply enough hot water for most small families and is relatively energy-efficient.
What does the hot water heater control?
The water heater’s thermostat controls the temperature of the water inside the tank. As the water heats, it rises to the top of the tank where the hot water supply (located at the top) will exit your water heater and flow to your faucet or whatever fixture you’re trying to get hot water from.
How do you check a thermostat on a hot water heater?
Testing the Thermostat. There is a simple test you can perform to test your water heater thermostat: Mark the current temperature setting with a marker, then turn down the temperature on the thermostat. Wait a few hours, then check the water temperature at a faucet.
How do you replace the thermostat on a hot water heater?
Loosen each screw on the front of the thermostat. Remove the wires from behind each screw. Unsnap the mounting clips at the bottom of the thermostat. Lift the thermostat from the water heater. Take your thermostat to a plumbing supply or a home improvement center to find a replacement thermostat compatible with your original thermostat.
What temperature do you set your hot water heater?
The Department of Energy recommends having your tank-based hot water heater set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit for most people, but if you’ve never adjusted the temperature on your hot water heater, it’s probably set to 140 degrees, which is the default setting from most manufacturers.
Where is the thermostat on an electric hot water heater?
Most water heaters have two thermostats. The are attached to the side of the tank. The locations of the thermostats are beside two removable plates on the side of the water heater. You have to remove the metal covers on the outside of the hot water tank first.