Q&A for How to Turn Up a Hot Water Heater

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How high can you turn up a hot water heater?

Dave Jones
Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Dave Jones

Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Expert Answer

It depends on the water heater and how many dial settings they have. However, you never want to exceed 120 F. That's the temperature where you're actually going to burn yourself.

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Question

What if I want to set the water to a custom setting?

Dave Jones
Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Dave Jones

Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Expert Answer

Unfortunately, you can't. The dial settings on your water heater are the only options you'll have available. If you have 4 settings on the dial, you've got 4 options for the temperature.

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Question

Is it safe for me to change the temperature on an electric water heater?

Dave Jones
Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Dave Jones

Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Expert Answer

Yes, although you do need to shut the power to the water heater off before you make the adjustment. Also, make sure that you adjust both the upper and lower thermostats to the same temperature and put the insulation back before you reattach the panels.

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Question

Will turning up a thermostat on a water heater cause the water to heat faster to a set temperature?

Community Answer

Yes, the thermostat controls how hot the water is. Be very careful though, because hot water can scald or burn you, so it's best you don't try to adjust it unless you know what you're doing. The least hot temperature is the safest, so keep it at that setting.

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