Adjust an Electric Hot Water Heater Thermostat
One way to save money on your energy bill is to adjust your electric hot water heater thermostat. Most water heaters are preset to 140 degrees Fahrenheit at the manufacturer. The safe low temperature range varies. The United States Department of Energy states that 120 degrees Fahrenheit is a safe low limit. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Locate the circuit breaker for the water heater inside your home electrical box. The location sheet on the inside door panel of the electrical box will tell you which breaker belongs to the water heater. Turn the breaker to the "Off" position.
2. Go to the water heater and look for two access panel doors. There is one near the top and one near the bottom. Remove the screws securing the access doors to the water heater with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
3. Remove any insulation that may be covering the thermostat. Move slowly to avoid unintentionally pulling any unseen wires under the insulation.
4. Turn the temperature adjustment screw on each thermostat with a flat-head screwdriver. The thermostat will have temperature markings on the face and an adjustment mark on the adjusting screw. Adjust the temperature between 120 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Adjust both thermostats to the same temperature setting. If the thermostat temperatures are not set the same, the lowest setting thermostat could burn out the heating element.
6. Push any insulation back over the thermostats and place each access panel cover back on the water heater. Secure the access panels with the retaining screws. Turn the circuit breaker back to the "On" position.
Tags: water heater, degrees Fahrenheit, access panel, Adjust Electric, Adjust Electric Water