While a hot shower is quite refreshing after a long day, it can be an energy glutton. Water temperature goes hand in hand with safety and energy savings. You can enjoy lower utility bills by reducing your water heater temperature.
Most manufacturers set their water heater thermostats at 140 degrees. An average household only requires them set at 120 degrees. Lowering the temperature of your water heater saves energy by reducing standby losses, which is the heat that's lost from the water heater tank into the surroundings, and demand losses that arise as you use water around the home. It also slows corrosion and mineral buildup in the heater and pipes, and lowers the risk of burns and scalding. You'll get additional savings if appliances like your dishwasher and clothes washer use water at the temperature supplied by the heater without mixing the water with cold water.
You'll need to read the water heater's manual first to learn how to operate the thermostat.
If you're going to be away from home for three or more days, turn the heater thermostat to its lowest setting. For an electric water heater, turn off the power at the circuit breaker. Make sure you know how to re-light a gas water heater's pilot light before you turn it off. If you find lowering the temperature of your water heater challenging, contact a certified plumbing or HVAC contractor for help. For more information on lowering your water heater temperature, please contact us at Russell's Heating & Cooling. We serve the Hampton Roads area of Southeast Virginia. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chesapeake, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about TOPIC and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 757-750-1831. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Name of Artist/Shutterstock”