Water heaters use a thermostat to control the water temperature. Electric water heaters have one or two heating rods that have single or separate thermostats for temperature control, respectively. Gas water heaters have wound coils, controlled by a single thermostat. Water heaters offer a wide range of temperature control. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning down the thermostat saves you money and increases the life of the heater. A 10-degree reduction in water temperature results in a savings of between 3 and 5 percent in energy costs. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Adjusing the Temperature
1. Close the water supply valve before starting the adjustment procedure.
2. Wear protective or rubber gloves to avoid electric shock. Turn off the power button on the heater. Also turn off the circuit breaker, if installed.
3. Find the thermostat panel at the bottom or the top of the heater. Heaters with dual thermostats have two thermostat panels, one at each location. The thermostat for a gas water heater is usually on the gas intake valve at the bottom of the tank.
4. Unscrew the panel with the appropriate screwdriver. For dual thermostat heaters, unscrew the second panel also.
5. Remove the exterior panel to find the thermostat. If you encounter insulation, remove it gently to expose the thermostat.
6. Adjust the thermostat to the desired temperature by inserting a flat head screwdriver in the slot and turning it. The pointer will indicate the temperature. If two thermostats are provided, adjust both to the same temperature. Optimal temperature range for water heaters is 110 to 120 F. The U.S. Department of Energy says that setting the water heater temperature at 120 F results in less scaling and corrosion in the heater, allowing it to achieve maximum efficiency and last longer.
7. Re-cover the thermostat with the insulation and then screw the panel back in place.
8. Open the water supply valve and turn on the circuit breaker.
Checking the Adjustment
9. Turn on the heater and wait for 45 minutes.
10. Put a thermometer in a glass. Turn on a hot water faucet and allow it to flow for three minutes, then fill the glass with hot water.
11. Check the temperature of the water. Ensure the water is heated to the adjusted temperature.
12. Contact the water heater manufacturer if the water temperature varies widely from the thermostat setting, as there may be a defect in the thermostat or heating rod. However, a difference of a few degrees is not uncommon. You may need to readjust the thermostat to achieve the exact desired temperature.
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