How do I lower my water heater thermostat?
How do I lower my water heater thermostat?
Start by turning off power to the water heater at the circuit breaker. Find the access panel for the thermostat(s) and use a screwdriver to remove the panel. Peel back the insulation. Use a flathead screwdriver to adjust the thermostat up or down.
How is the temperature controlled in a electric water heater?
Most electric water heaters above 20 gallons have two thermostats that sense the temperature of the water in both the top and bottom of the tank. The upper thermostat is the boss and always tells the lower thermostat what to do.
Are upper and lower water heater thermostats the same?
The cold water enters the bottom of the tank and the lower thermostat senses a heat change. The lower heating element will heat the incoming cold water. If you use all the hot water in the tank, the upper thermostat will demand heat and withdraw power from the bottom of the tank.
What should my hot water tank thermostat be set at?
60-65ºC
A domestic hot water cylinder thermostat should be set at 60-65ºC. This is high enough to kill off harmful bacteria such as Legionella. If you set the thermostat much higher than this the water that comes out of the taps will be too hot and there’ll be a risk of scalding.
What temperature should electric hot water heater be set at?
120 degrees Fahrenheit
120 degrees Fahrenheit is the safety recommendation against scalding, but 140° is the common default setting. Most experts agree that anything below 120 degrees creates a risk for bacteria to develop inside your water heater from stagnant water, such as legionella that causes Legionnaire’s disease.
Do electric water heaters have two thermostats?
Adjusting an Electric Hot Water Heater Temperature Thermostat Setting. Adjusting an electric hot water heater temperature thermostat setting is a little more involved, but still relatively easy. The majority of electric water heaters have two thermostats: an upper and a lower, located under two control panels.
Which water heater thermostat should be set higher?
If you set them to the same temperature, the bottom element will be the first one on every time, and frequently the only one used to maintain the temperature. If you set the top element too much higher, then it will be used most of the time, and the bottom element acts more as a pre-heater.
Why are there two temperature controls on water heater?
A dual-element water heater uses two heating elements controlled by two separate thermostats. The upper element heats the upper portion of the water column. When it reaches a specified temperature, Rheem notes that it shuts off, and the lower heating element takes over, heating the rest of the water.
Why is my hot water not hot enough?
Sediment build up in the tank Over time, sediment can build up in the bottom of the tank, where the burner usually is. This can lead to slower heating or poor efficiency in your water heater, meaning lukewarm water rather than hot water. The solution for this is to drain the tank and to use a water softener.