what temperature should my water heater be at?
Posted on | April 3, 2010 | 9 Comments
I’m a family of four, and in the morning, usually two-three of us take showers after each other. We don’t really use hot water that much. Our laundry is done not using our water (we live in an apartment) and we don’t use the dishwasher too much. I’ve heard keeping the water heater at 125 F is warm enough to take showers and do things around the house, and hot enough to kill jerms, yet not too hot and result in saving energy. What is the ideal temperature for a water heater? Also, do those water heater blankets really work in keeping the heater warm and saving energy? I’m thinking of buying one. And when winter comes along, should I rise my water heater temperature? I live in So Cal, so it doesn’t really get that cold, but still; should it be higher in the winters?
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9 Responses to “what temperature should my water heater be at?”
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April 3rd, 2010 @ 5:39 pm
We had ours set at 140 but I reduced it to120 and there is little difference except we use less cold to mix with it during showers
and the heater definitely comes on less often. That’s two benefits saving fuel on heating and water. You should put one of those blankets on they couldn’t hurt. As far as “germs” just use an antibacterial cleaner and it really doesn’t effect clothes.
April 3rd, 2010 @ 6:35 pm
The suggested temperature is 120 degrees. I keep mine at 130 degrees, because if I don’t there isn’t enough hot water to go around in the mornings. As a side note, this will NOT kill bateria. Some bacteria survive in temperatures up to 180 degrees. Lucky for us, though, soap kills bacteria even in lukewarm water. You don’t need to change it during the winter months. And, yes, the blanket helps a little.
April 3rd, 2010 @ 6:47 pm
120 F is the best temperature for energy savings, you need a higher temperature if you are washing cloth diapers (140). The blanket will help save energy even in California. If you are buying a new one get an extra efficient one which does not need a blanket and if possible get a gas heater which is more efficient. You do not need to turn it up during the winter.
April 3rd, 2010 @ 7:10 pm
In the summer months, the air conditioner’s thermostat should not be set any lower than 78 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter the settings should not be any higher than 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Each one-degree adjustment for an eight-hour period reduces your fuel bill costs.
There is a complete page of facts about home temperatures here:
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/fs44.htm
April 3rd, 2010 @ 7:44 pm
I have mine set as high as it will go. But then I like really hot, deap baths. Also, I don’t have any young children in the house who might get burned by being careless around very hot tap water.
April 3rd, 2010 @ 8:01 pm
the lowest possible temperature will use the least amount of energy. Try 110F
April 3rd, 2010 @ 8:52 pm
I believe my husband changed ours to about 115. It’s definitely hot enough for showers, and doesn’t use too much energy.
April 3rd, 2010 @ 9:03 pm
get rid of the heater and get a tankless system, with the tax credit it will pay for itself and you can habve water as hot as you wish.
April 4th, 2010 @ 4:11 am
Factory set temperature is 120-125 F. Temperatures above 125 F will do the scalding burns based on the time exposed. Higher the temperature less time for burns.
I keep mine above the recommended temperature in the winter time and supervise kids not to play with the hot water. The reason why is that my tank type hot water heater cannot provide enough as it is not big enough.
If your tank is big enough keep it on 120 and you are good, if not you should increase the temperature and use less hot water (more cold water is needed) for showers.