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Plumber adjusting a home water heater temperature for safety and efficiency.

What temperature is ideal for setting your water heater?

When you decide to change the water heater and you install it, typically the temperature is set to 140°F. This is the standard temperature that should be kept to avoid the buildup of bacteria in the water tank.
Also, the temperature of the water heater can depend on your preferences from house to house.

However, setting the temperature too high can lead to scalding. In this article, we will discuss what’s the ideal temperature setting for your heater.

Why should I set a high temperature?

Manufacturers initially set the temperature to reflect 140° for several reasons.

Customer Satisfaction: They want to sell a water heater that keeps water hot and meets consumer expectations.

Product Performance: A heater that doesn’t heat well could upset customers and harm the company’s reputation.

Health Standards: They follow strict OSHA guidelines to prevent Legionella bacteria, which can pose serious health risks.

Lower your water heater temperature

If you want to adjust your heater temperature, then call a professional plumber is better for you to ask for professional help.

Gas Water Heater: Adjusting these is easy and quick! Just find the dial on the front of the gas control valve and turn it to your preferred setting. The warm setting is around 90-110°F, and the hot setting is about 140-150°F.

Electric water heater:
Adjusting these is more complex and should be done by a professional. First, turn off the water heater breaker.
Please don’t work on it while it’s running. Then, remove the panels to access the heater: for a double-element tank, take off both the upper and lower panels; for a single-element tank, just remove the lower panel. Next, move the insulation to find the thermostat. Use a flathead screwdriver to adjust the thermostat’s temperature setting. After adjusting, replace the insulation, reattach the panels, and turn the unit back on.

In this case, call Near Plumber for further instructions or book a certified plumber to do the job for you.

Get Help

For some homeowners, high temperatures work, while others don’t. Don’t hesitate to call a Professional plumber for help. Near Plumber is available whenever you need help.
Call today at 0786 878 5055

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