What should I keep my water heater set at?

harlenm · 12-28-2012, 10:22

Replaced the control panel on my hot water tank last night. Default settings is 120 degrees with a 10 degree differential. I raised the temp to 130, but left the differential the same.

I don't remember what the old settings were.

Any recommendations?

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byf43 · 12-28-2012, 10:24

Leave it at 130. Hot, but not too hot.

I just 'crack' the hot when I take a shower.
My wife turns the hot on, full bore!!!! She comes out, looking like a steamed lobster!!!
(I don't know how she tolerates the heat!)

harlenm · 12-28-2012, 10:25

New panel installed with the old one on the floor.

cost me $170 for the new panel, probably saved $200 by installing it myself.

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GLWyandotte · 12-28-2012, 10:26

Run her at 190f, that way you can cook dinner and do the dishes when your done.

byf43 · 12-28-2012, 10:28

A few years ago, I replaced our 50 gallon water heater, with an 80 gallon heater.

The old w/heater was in the middle of the basement.

I installed the new one on the back wall, out-of-the-way, and re-plumbed the supply/feed lines.

My youngest daughter and my wife can USE some hot water!!!!

harlenm · 12-28-2012, 10:29

This is a 41 gallon. Never had an issue with running out of hot water.

Unit is only 4-5 years old. Apparently the design of the control panel was bad and they fail prematurely.

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Wake_jumper · 12-28-2012, 10:33

Anything under 130F and you risk growing Legionnaires disease (Legionella) bugs in the water.

Huaco Kid · 12-28-2012, 10:34

Ours is set to ~150°.

It WILL burn you PDQ but we have no young or old people here. I like LONG, HOT showers.

czsmithGT · 12-28-2012, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by harlenm

Replaced the control panel on my hot water tank last night. Default settings is 120 degrees with a 10 degree differential. I raised the temp to 130, but left the differential the same.

I don't remember what the old settings were.

Any recommendations?

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

I don't think there is any one right answer- depends on your situation.

120 would be a minimum and most energy efficient, but how accurate is your setting? If the true temp drops below 115 you can incubate certain types of bacteria. For that reason, some recommend, to be cautious, setting it so you have a measured hot water temp at the tap of 122.

Now if you have an older dishwasher that does not have a pre-heater you need a higher temp so the water heater would need to be set at least 140. This could be dangerous as burns could ensue quickly if full exposure by accident to the hot water. Especially dangerous if you have small kids. Also probably 5-10% less energy efficient.

czsmithGT · 12-28-2012, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wake_jumper

Anything under 130F and you risk growing Legionnaires disease (Legionella) bugs in the water.

I think the problem is anything under 115 actual measured temp.

Wake_jumper · 12-28-2012, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by czsmithGT

I think the problem is anything under 115 actual measured temp.

... the hotter the better as far as I'm concerned. I don't like to gamble with my family's health. Of course, with small children around you have to be smart and make sure the temperature is not so hot to scald their delicate skin.

Legionellosis is a nasty bug and most people have no idea that their water heater is a favorite place for them to live and grow.

Here's a link to everything you ever wanted to know about it:

http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/legionnaires/faq.html

SC Tiger · 12-28-2012, 11:15

Mine is set at 120, but after reading about the Legionaires's disease thing I think I'll turn it up to 130-140 tonight. I do have one small child (a toddler that likes to play with the water) though.

It was at 140 before I replaced the thermostat but I turned down the new one.

John's 26 · 12-28-2012, 11:26

I have mine set at 120, but it's a tankless unit. I just can't bare to keep 50 gal of water hot around the clock for a couple of morning showers and a nightly dishwasher run. Dropped my NG bill 50%, and we literally have endless hot water...

John

ranger1968 · 12-28-2012, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by John's 26

I have mine set at 120, but it's a tankless unit. I just can't bare to keep 50 gal of water hot around the clock for a couple of morning showers and a nightly dishwasher run. Dropped my NG bill 50%, and we literally have endless hot water...

John

We replaced our old 50 gallon unit with a tankless (we're electric here) a few months ago; our electric bill took a nice dip, and the water is HOT...I'm keeping it at 130.

The only part that sucked was running a new 60 amp service with 6 guage wire all the way to the panel..

harlenm · 12-28-2012, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by John's 26

I have mine set at 120, but it's a tankless unit. I just can't bare to keep 50 gal of water hot around the clock for a couple of morning showers and a nightly dishwasher run. Dropped my NG bill 50%, and we literally have endless hot water...

John

I'm on oil, and not about to spend the money on a new setup.

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airmotive · 12-28-2012, 11:37

No kids. No old people. Hot as a muther****er.
I could probably use my little kitchen sink spray nozzle for home defense.

Makes washing pots and pans a breeze.