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Important Tips on Setting Your Water Heater Temperature

During the cold Massachusetts winters, there’s nothing like taking a warm shower or bath. However, having the water be too hot can be even worse than being a bit chilly. Because of this, it’s a good idea to know that you can go to the water heater and change the temperature directly. Doing this will affect how hot your home’s hot water can get. However, changing your home’s water temperature isn’t something you should do unless you know what you’re doing. It’s easy to accidentally expose yourself to waterborne bacteria or severe scalding. At Cranney Home Services, we can give you some tips on the “when” and “how” of adjusting your home’s water temperature.

How do I adjust the water heater temperature?

How you change your water heater’s preferred water temperature depends on the model and what you use to power it. Most tankless models simply have a readout that shows the temperature along with the controls to change it. For most of the tank models, you’ll find the controls behind an insulated access panel. If your water heater is an electric one, you might also find the controls at the top or bottom of the tank. Whenever you change the temperature, you should always test your water to see if the temperature properly changed. You can test the water at any sink with the help of a thermometer. Let the hot water run for several seconds before holding the thermometer under the water for a minute. If you see a discrepancy between the tap’s water and the water heater’s temperature, we suggest calling a technician.

What’s the best water temperature for my home?

Your home’s water temperature should be chosen based on your living conditions, but there are two common suggestions. 120°F, as suggested by the Department of Energy, is capable of minimizing your risk of scalding while killing off most waterborne bacteria. It also reduces the damage hard water causes and your water heater’s energy usage. However, OSHA suggests a temperature of 140°F (which is the initial setting for most water heaters) because it can kill off the bacteria that cause Legionnaire’s Disease. That bacteria is slightly more heat-resistant than other bacteria, so the default setting can be more useful if your water is an LD risk or someone in your household has a weaker immune system. If you go with 140°F, you might want to consider getting an anti-scald device for your faucets

What makes Cranney a trusted expert on plumbing and water heaters?

Cranney Home Services has over forty years of experience in home and business service contractingWe are committed to providing a superior standard in residential services in plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical that has not been available in this area until now!  We take pride in providing the best service to our customers and ensuring they’re 100% satisfied before we leave. Our certified technicians will ensure your system is up to code and will keep your family comfortable for years to come. Call Cranney today to learn more about managing your home’s water!

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