Adjusting the temperature on your dual element water heater can save you money if you choose to lower the temperature. The U.S. Department of Energy states you could save up to 5 percent on your electric bill by lowering the water heater thermostat temperature by 10 degrees. Raising the temperature could create a potential safety hazard, as water heated above 120 degrees Fahrenheit could lead to scalding or serious burns. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Shut off the breaker or disconnect it from the electricity to shut down the electric water heater.
2. Remove the screws holding the two access doors on the exterior of the water heater. Open the access doors and fold the insulation away from the thermostats connected to the elements.
3. Pull the plastic protective covers from the face of the thermostats. Push in the red buttons on both thermostats to reset them.
4. Insert a small slotted screwdriver into the thermostat adjusting knob at the bottom of each thermostat. Turn the adjustment knob to the right or left to adjust the temperature on the thermostat.
5. Snap the plastic protective covers back over the two thermostats. Fold the insulation back over them, and reinstall the doors onto the exterior of the electric water heater.
6. Turn on the breaker or reconnect it to restore electrical power to the electric water heater.
Tags: water heater, electric water heater, access doors, back over, electric water