Water Heater Upper Lower Thermostat Settings

Although manufacturer s usually set water heaters at 140 degrees f you can reduce your carbon footprint and save money by adjusting your water heater thermostat.

Water heater upper lower thermostat settings.

When it goes bad you don t have any hot water at all. According to the u s. Department of energy for each 10 degree reduction in water temperature you can save between 3 and 5 percent in energy costs. Thermometer for testing the water temperature.

When power is initially turned on to the unit the upper element is energized and heats the water in the upper third of the tank see figure 1. The majority of electric water heaters have two thermostats. As a safety precaution shut off the electricity to the water heater before removing opening the panels. The cold water turns on the lower element and begins preheating the lower tank.

Testing water heater thermostats is important in locating water heater problems. The upper thermostat is the primary one that contains the high limit switch and the lower thermostat is used to detect the change in the temperature of the water. Hot water heater settings are easy to adjust although electric heaters will require a screwdriver and possibly a small wrench or socket. Most manufacturers recommend changing the lower thermostat setting while leaving the upper thermostat at the factory setting.

If the faucet remains on eventually the upper thermostat drops below 140 degrees which turns on the upper element and turns off the lower element. An upper and a lower located under two control panels. The upper thermostat controls both the upper and lower element. Marker to mark the setting on your thermostat.

Keep in mind that an electric water heater may have two thermostats one each for the upper and lower heating elements. Adjusting an electric hot water heater temperature thermostat setting. Adjusting an electric hot water heater temperature thermostat setting is a little more involved but still relatively easy. The upper element stays off because there is still 140 degree water at the top of the tank.

1 turn off the circuit breaker to the water heater. Keep in mind that the thermostat is factory preset to a recommended temperature and changing the setting may increase the potential for serious burns. This article deals with thermostats on electric water heaters.