Helpful Plumbing Tips

What Temperature Do I Set My Water Heater

All water heaters have a temperature setting that affects how hot the water coming out of your faucets is going to be. While many homeowners do not think much about this setting, it’s actually an important aspect of the water heater in your home in Corona, CA. That is why you should try to learn what the best water heater temperature for your household is. Also, you should know more about the reasons that affect the temperature of your heater.

What temperature should I set my water heater on?

It doesn’t matter if you’ve just bought a new water heater, or if you have one of the older models, you need to know what the best temperature to set it on is. There are two main sides in the discussion about this topic. Some say that 120 degrees is optimal, while others say you should set your temperature to 140 degrees.

Considerations for 120 degrees

Both the American Society of Sanitary Engineering and the US Department of Energy advises individuals to set their water heater temperature to 120℉. There are several reasons why this could be the way to go:

It’s eco-friendly: Gas or electrical energy is necessary for both heating your water and maintaining it at a certain temperature in the storage tank if you own a tank water heater. Decreasing the heater temperature by as little as 20 degrees reduces the amount of energy used in both of these processes.
It saves money: Another benefit of saving energy by opting for a lower heater temperature is the reduction in energy bills for your home, which spells savings for you and your family.
It stops mineral buildup: Mineral deposits are less likely to appear if the water is a bit colder. This goes both for the potential mineral buildup in the tank of the heater and the pipes.
It prevents scalding: Finally, scalding can be a serious issue. Water at the temperature of 140 degrees can cause burns within just a couple of seconds. On the other hand, water at the temperature of 120 degrees will cause scalding only after one or two minutes.

Considerations for 140 degrees

Taking into account all of the benefits of setting your heater at 120 degrees, it may be difficult to see any reason to go for 140. However, there’s one government agency that advises that you set your temperature to 140 – OSHA.

The main reason behind this is that water at 140 degrees kills certain harmful strains of bacteria usually found in water., such as the LDB, or the Legionnaires’ disease bacteria. This bacteria is commonly found in systems with rusty pipes or tanks.

Your choice for everyday use

Setting the temperature to 120 is the best choice for the majority of households, especially if there are young children in the family. However, if you know your home is prone to the LDB bacteria, it’s best to go for 140 degrees and install anti-scald devices at each hot water fixture.

Vacation mode

Most water heaters have a setting for, “Vacation Mode”. When your water heater is set to “Vacation Mode”, the water heater’s temperature drops to conserve energy while you’re not home to use your hot water. That way, your water heater is saving energy while using sufficient energy to keep water flowing and the heater in good working order.

Who can help me decide on a temperature for my new water heater I bought in Corona?

Purchasing a water heater can be a lot more complicated than it looks. First, you need two know what the five different types of water heaters are. Then, you should decide between a traditional and a tankless heater. And that’s all without taking into account other important aspects that will help you choose the proper heater for your household. Finally, you think you’re done, but then you learn you have to consider the temperature of the heater?

It can get frustrating getting to grips with all of it, which is why OneStop Plumbers is here to help you out. We know all there is to know about water heaters, including the ideal temperature for your particular needs. It doesn’t matter if you live near the Corona Founders Monument, or at another location. We serve the entire area, and whatever it is you need, you can count on us. Give us a call today and tell us how we can help you.

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