hot water heater

**sinopa27** · 07-26-2011, 07:46 AM

I want to reduce the temperature of my hot water heater. The thing is that I dont know how. I looked at it and there isn't anything on it to adjust the temperature.
Help!

**Russ** · 07-26-2011, 08:10 AM

There must be some dial on it somewhere. Is there an access panel on it?

**low-1** · 07-26-2011, 08:17 AM

Gas or electric? If electric, you will see (generally) two small covers/panels, one near the top, the other near the bottom. If you remove these covers, you will see the wiring to the elements, as well as the thermostats. Ours has a thermostat controlling each element, I think most do. The thermostats have small dials to set the temperature, you will likely need a flat screwdriver to turn them.

One very important note, don't touch any exposed wiring or screw terminations, they will be connected to power. In the interest of safety, you should likely turn off the breaker for the HWT. This is, of course, assuming it is electric. I'm not familiar with gas, but I'm sure there will be some sort of thermostat behind a cover of some sort as well.

For what it's worth, I'm an electrician by trade, so I feel very comfortable doing this type of work. If it's an electric tank and you feel uncomfortable, you should call an electrician. It really isn't very difficult though.

**Greebo** · 07-26-2011, 08:22 AM

If you post a picture we can give you more specific help

**sinopa27** · 07-26-2011, 08:55 AM

it is electric. Yes it has a panel on it. I will turn off the power and see what I can find. I will post a pic and/or keep you posted. Thanks!

**low-1** · 07-26-2011, 09:02 AM

Here's an image I found online:

If you note where the heating elements are inside the tank, you will see where they are mounted to the tank, there is a small black box above each one, top and bottom. Those are the thermostats. They will have little adjustment dials on them.

Hope that helps!

**sinopa27** · 07-26-2011, 09:04 AM

thats the same one I got!

**sinopa27** · 07-26-2011, 09:05 AM

thank you so much. I believe it should be set at 120 degrees?? correct?

**low-1** · 07-26-2011, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by sinopa27

thank you so much. I believe it should be set at 120 degrees?? correct?

Not 100% sure exactly, but I think (and a quick google search kind of supports it) that the temp shouldn't be much less than 120 *at the tap*. A few places say 115, some say 120, others say as low as 100-105. This page gives a chart of temperature vs bacterial growth.

**sinopa27** · 07-27-2011, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by low-1

Not 100% sure exactly, but I think (and a quick google search kind of supports it) that the temp shouldn't be much less than 120 *at the tap*. A few places say 115, some say 120, others say as low as 100-105. This page gives a chart of temperature vs bacterial growth.

thank you so much! I hope reducing the temp will reduce my electric bill.