Your water heater is one of the essential appliances in your home. It provides hot water for you to use for cooking, bathing, washing dishes, and laundry. But if it isn’t installed or maintained properly, the water heater can cause some severe problems in your household.
What is the best temperature for your water heater?
The best temperature is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This will provide hot water instantly but won’t create scalding water. Scalding water is when the hot water becomes so hot it can burn you, which could cause severe burns to children, older people, or even pets. It also wastes more energy.
Here are a few reasons why your water temperature might be low if it’s below 120 degrees:
1. A faulty thermostat
The thermostat is what allows your water heater to heat up. If it’s faulty, it may shut off before the desired temperature is reached.
2. The thermostat is set too low
This is the most common issue. If you keep your heater at a lower temperature, it will shut off before it reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit, even though that’s the best temperature for the water heater to reach.
3. The thermostat is rusted
The rust will make the metal expand slowly, stopping it from reaching the right temperature. Water heaters that are rusty should be replaced.
With all this said, keep in mind that water heaters aren’t meant to last forever. So once your heater passes ten years of age, you may want to consider buying a new one.
4. The heating element isn’t working
If the heating element isn’t working, your water heater won’t have any hot water. You’ll probably need to replace it. The best way to avoid this is by having a professional check your water heater each year for any signs of damage or malfunctioning parts.
Here are a few hot water heater maintenance tips to keep it working properly:
1. Let cold water run for a few minutes before using hot tap water
This gets rid of any dirt and debris in the pipes. This will make your heater last longer because it won’t get clogged up.
2. Drain the sediment every six months
Sediment can build up inside your water heater, which can cause problems like decreased performance. Draining this sediment can be done by simply opening the drain valve, which is usually located at the lowest point of your heater.
3. Turn off the power if you ever need to replace any parts
This will prevent any accidents while you’re working on it. It can also help protect it from water damage while it’s not in use.
4. Insulate your water heater
This can keep it working correctly and stop any unwanted noise from occurring. This is especially important to do if you live in a cold climate. It’s cheap and easy to do so there’s no excuse not to!
So, what is the best temperature for your water heater? 120 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect setting for your water heater. This temperature will provide hot water instantly but won’t create scalding water that can burn you or waste more energy.
If your water temperature is lower than 120 degrees, there are a few reasons why this might be the case. It could be due to a faulty thermostat, the thermostat that’s been set too low, a rusted thermostat, a heating element not working, or sediment build-up inside.
To avoid any damage to your water heater, you should have a professional plumber check it every year for signs of damage or malfunctioning parts. You can also follow a few maintenance tips like letting cold water run for a few minutes before using hot water, draining sediment every six months, and turning off the power if you need to replace any parts.