A good hot shower is a welcome experience after a long day. But did you know hot water can have a detrimental impact on many aspects of your life? If you turn your water heater thermostat down, you can reap some benefits. Let’s go over four reasons you should be adjusting your water temperature.
Saves Energy & Money
The biggest reason to adjust your water heater temperature is it can help you save both energy and money. Heating the hot water in your home accounts for approximately 20% of the amount of energy your household consumes. It requires more energy for your water heater to heat water to a higher temperature.
This means the higher your water temperature, the more energy your water heater uses to heat the same amount of water. Not to mention the significant energy used to make up for standby heat loss that happens when your temperature is set too high. Setting your water heater at a temperature too high also forces you to pay significantly more when your electricity bill arrives. The more energy used, the more money you pay in operating costs. Lowering the temperature to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit (or even a little lower) can save you significantly in water heating costs.
Avoids Scalding
Scalding is a second-degree burn to the skin caused by hot water or steam. Deep damage and blistering can be very severe depending on the length of exposure time and high temperature. Preventing scalding is a serious reason to adjust your water heater temperature.
Hot water scalding is one of the leading causes of serious burns. In the U.S., scald injuries from tap water send about 112,000 people to the emergency room each year, hospitalizing nearly 7,000. The elderly, people with disabilities, and small children are at higher risk of receiving a scalding. Many residential scalding incidents are caused by water heaters set at temperatures above 120 degrees. Keeping your temperature set to no higher than 120 degrees reduces the risk greatly of someone being hurt.
Extends the Water Heater’s Lifespan
Hot water heaters are not cheap. So it’s natural to want your water heater to last as long as possible. Lowering the temperature can make a big difference in its lifespan.
Setting the temperature too high increases the risk that hard water mineral sediment will build up inside your water heater. The sediment buildup can encourage rust accumulation and corrosion, which significantly shorten your water heater’s lifespan. Lowering the temperature can slow the buildup of sediment inside your water heater and help it last up to 10 years or longer.
Your Hair and Skin will Become Healthier
Hot showers can be relaxing, but you may notice your skin feels dryer than normal when you get out of one. That dehydration is a symptom of showers that are too hot. Yes, dehydration. The heat in the water makes it evaporate, and because the water in your skin and hair has just as much heat, it evaporates too.
This results in dry, flaky skin and brittle hair. Turning down the temperature just a few degrees will help your skin’s and hair’s health improve. Although you can adjust the temperature in your shower, it’s best to adjust the thermostat on your water heater. By turning down the temperature a few degrees, the maximum hot water temperature will be changed and the temptation of taking a very hot shower will be removed.
How to Adjust the Temperature of Your Water Heater
Luckily, this process is fairly simple.
- First, read the instruction manual that came with your water heater to find the thermostat and operation instructions. If it’s electric, it might have two thermostats, and both will need adjusting.
- Find the current temperature of your water at its hottest point. Find a faucet located farthest from your water heater, turn on the hot water, and test with a thermometer.
- If the temperature registers higher than 120 degrees, dial the temperature back on your water heater.
- Retest the same faucet after waiting a few hours.
- Repeat steps 2-4 to get the water to the desired temperature.
We’re always here to provide reliable and professional plumbing services you can trust.
City Plumbing Services is Here to Help
If you’re having trouble with your water heater, City Plumbing Services is here to lend a hand. Whether you need to repair or replace your traditional water heater, our team will be happy to assist you. We’re always here to provide reliable and professional plumbing services you can trust. We’re located in Cave Creek but are ready to help those in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Chandler, Surprise, and most of the East Valley of Arizona.
