Recommended Water Heater Temperature Setting for Glen Carbon Area Homes

Did you know that the temperature that your water heater is set at can have an effect on the efficiency of your home and the safety of your family? Furthermore, many people don’t even know that their water heater’s temperature is set too high! Today we’re going to give our recommended water heater temperature settings and talk about the benefits of lowering your unit’s temperature to that level!

What is Tiger’s recommended water heater temperature setting?

Many manufacturers of water heaters set the temperature of their units at 140 degrees when they leave the factory. Since many homeowners don’t think to adjust that setting, their water heaters’ settings stay at 140 degrees.

In order to conserve energy and avoid safety issues, Tiger suggests that you lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees. This temperature is suitable for every application in most homes, and can result in a number of benefits (as you’ll see below).

What are the benefits of lowering your water heater temperature setting?

• Avoid safety issues. If the temperature setting on your water heater is too high, your family can be at risk of burning and scalding. This is especially true for children and elderly people, whose skin is extra sensitive. In a recent NPR story, a scientist at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health said that tap water burns from water heaters that are set too high cause an estimated 1,500 hospital admissions and 100 deaths per year.
• Save energy. The higher the temperature setting of your water heater, the more energy your unit will consume. EnergyStar estimates that you can save $36-$61 annually in standby heating costs and more than $400 in demand costs by lowering your water heater’s temperature setting to 120 degrees.
• Protect your plumbing system. Lowering your water heater’s temperature setting slows down mineral buildup in your water heater and your pipes. This will improve the efficiency and lengthen the life of your plumbing system.

If you have any questions about our recommended water heater temperature, or if you’d like a plumbing system serviced or installed in your home, contact Tiger Services, your Glen Carbon plumbing, heating and air conditioning company.

photo credit: Mark Florence via photopin cc