How To Turn Up Hot Water Heater Temperature

Why You Might Need to Adjust the Temperature of Your Water Heater

Some of the reasons people adjust their water heater settings to a higher temperature include:

• Their shower never feels warm enough
• Their dishwasher isn’t getting dishes clean
• They need a hotter water temperature for laundry or cooking
• They’ve just moved in, and the default setting is too low

By default, most water heaters are set to about 120°F, which is the temperature setting recommended by the US Department of Energy for energy efficiency in most homes. However, that temperature doesn’t work for everyone. If you’ve got a dishwasher without a built-in heater, or if your house has long plumbing runs that cool the water temperature before it gets to you, you can increase your water temperature by a few degrees.

Safety First: What to Know Before You Adjust Anything

Before you start fiddling with your water heater’s thermostat, temperature dial, or switch to get the right temperature, make sure you’re following these reminders and safety tips:

1. Be Aware of the Risk of Scalding

Once you pass 130°F, your risk of scalding starts to go way up. At 140°F, it only takes about five seconds of contact for a serious burn, such as third-degree burns, to happen. This is an especially important reminder if you have kids, seniors, or anyone with sensitive skin in the house. If you do turn up your water heater temperature setting, don’t push too far beyond 125°F unless you’re using a mixing valve.

2. Always Turn Off Power or Gas First

For electric water heaters, you’ll need to shut off the power to the water heater at the circuit breaker panel before opening anything up. For gas heaters, turn the control to “Pilot” or “Off.”

3. Let the Water Cool Down Before Working on It

Even if you’re just opening access panels or checking thermostats, it’s a good idea to wait at least a couple of hours after using hot water. That tank holds heat for a while, and a splash of 130°F water isn’t something you want hitting your hands.

How to Turn Up Your Water Heater’s Temperature Setting (Step-by-Step)

For Electric Water Heaters

Electric water heaters usually have one or two thermostats hidden behind access panels on the side of the tank. To safely turn up the water heat, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the power: Go to your electrical panel and flip the circuit breaker labeled for the water heater. If you’re not 100% sure which one it is, it’s better to play it safe and turn off the main switch while you work.
2. Open the access panels: There are usually two panels, one near the top and one near the bottom. Unscrew them and gently fold back the insulation inside. Under that, you’ll see a thermostat with a small temperature dial.
3. Adjust the temperature thermostat: Using a flat-blade screwdriver, turn the dial slightly clockwise to increase the temperature. If you’re adjusting both the upper and lower thermostats, try to set them to the same temperature. Most manufacturers make it so the machine will show you approximate temperatures (110, 120, 130, etc.).
4. Restore power: Flip the circuit breaker back on and give it a few hours. Once things have heated up again, test the temperature of your faucet running water.

For Gas Water Heaters

Gas hot water heater models are a bit simpler since the temperature control is right on the outside. You won’t need any tools for this one.

Note: If you gas heater’s dial doesn’t have actual numbers, just do small adjustments one at a time as these knobs can be sensitive.

1. Locate the gas control valve: It’s usually on the lower front portion of the water heater. You’ll see a round knob or dial with settings labeled something like “Warm,” “Hot,” or actual temperatures.
2. Turn the dial: To turn it up, just rotate the knob slightly toward “Hot” or 130°F. If it’s already at “Hot” and you’re still getting cold water, try turning it just a notch higher and wait a few hours.
3. Test the water: After a few hours, run your hot water tap for a minute or two. Use a kitchen thermometer to check the temperature if you want to be precise.

For Tankless Water Heaters

Heaters without a water heater tank don’t store water. Instead, they heat it as it passes through, so the temperature is controlled electronically. That means adjusting it is usually as easy as using a remote or built-in digital screen.

Note: Some higher-end models have a child lock or require a code to unlock temperature settings above 120°F. Check your manufacturer’s instructions or manual if you’re not sure.

1. Look for the control panel: Most tankless water heater models have a digital display that shows the current water temperature setting.
2. Use the buttons: Use the up or down buttons to raise or lower the temperature. Most models go up to 140°F, but it’s best to stick between 120°F and 130°F for everyday use.
3. Wait and test: The adjustment takes effect almost immediately, so just run your hot water and see how it feels.

Common Water Temperature Issues

If you’ve tried adjusting the temperature setting and still aren’t getting the results you want, your water heater might be having one of these problems:

1. Your Thermostat Might Be Failing

No changes in water temperature despite turning the dial could mean you have a broken thermostat. Electric heaters have one or two thermostats that control the heating elements, and those can wear out or go faulty as time passes.

2. Sediment Buildup Could Be in the Way

This one’s especially common in Oklahoma, where we’ve got hard water. Over time, minerals like calcium and magnesium settle at the bottom of the tank and act as some kind of insulation that keeps water from heating efficiently. This can also promote bacterial growth and increase your energy bill. Sediment buildup can make it seem like the water heater isn’t working, even when it technically is.

3. Heating Elements Might Be Worn Out

In electric heaters, the top and bottom elements heat water at different times. If one of those burns out, you’ll only get short bursts of hot water before you get cold water again.

4. It Could Be the Water Lines

In some cases, your water heater’s working just fine, but the hot water has to travel a long distance or compete with cold pipes in winter. Adding or replacing insulation for pipes or installing a recirculation system can help.

Heritage Services offers full inspections, repairs, and hot water heater replacement servicesin the OKC metro. We can test your thermostat, flush the tank, swap out heating elements, or help you decide if it’s time for a new unit.

A Few More Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Water Heater

Most homeowners don’t know how these small efforts can actually have a big impact when it comes to extending their water heater’s life and making it perform better. Check out these tips to make the most out of your unit:

• Install a mixing valve: This device blends cold water with hot water before it reaches your sink faucet. That means you can safely set your water heater temperature higher (for things like dishwashing or laundry) without risking burns at the tap.
• Flush the tank once a year: Removing sediment buildup keeps things running well and can extend the lifespan of your system.
• Check the pressure relief valve: Once in a while, lift the little lever on your T&P valve to make sure it releases water. If it doesn’t, it could be stuck or clogged, and either way, that’s a safety issue that should be fixed.
• Know the age of your system: Most water heaters last around 8-12 years. If yours is pushing that limit and giving you temperature problems, it might be better to replace it than keep trying to tweak it.

Need Help With Your Hot Water Heater? Contact Heritage Services!

At Heritage Services, we’ve been helping families and businesses with heating, cooling, and plumbing since 1967. Our team is always happy to help you figure out if your water heater unit just needs a tweak, a tune-up, or something a little more serious.

Visit our website or contact us to get started!