Setting Upper And Lower Thermostat Water Heater: Top Steps To Save Energy In Your Home

Many homeowners are unaware of the ways they can save on their energy bills. Setting your thermostat water heater correctly. Is one way that will help you to save money and be more comfortable at the same time. Setting your upper and lower thermostat means that when it’s cold outside. 

Your water will stay warm enough for a while before heating up again. This saves both gas and electricity costs. It also helps maintain a constant temperature in your home. So you don’t have to worry about being too hot or too cold!

Why Should I Set the Temperature of the Water Heater by Thermostat?

Setting the temperature of your tankless or storage-type water heater by its thermostats will optimize energy use.

Setting up separate controls for both the upper and lower elements in a tank type. Provides more control over heating capacity. Similarly, this saves energy on heating less than full loads while still having enough hot water.

Moreover, the temperature of the upper and lower elements can be set independently. Even if the connection is to a single thermostat. Setting them at different temperatures will balance the heating demand. This is particularly helpful with an electric hot water tank that has two elements. Or more than one storage-type heater in series (one after another).

Adjusting Hot Water Heater Temperature on Electric Water Heaters

Adjusting the water heater temperature on electric units is a simple process. When the lower thermostat reads at or above 140 degrees. Then turn it down to 120 degrees and it will heat more efficiently with less wasted energy. Similarly, setting upper and lower thermostats can help you save money on heating costs of hot water in your home.

Setting the Upper and Lower Thermostat Water Heater

Actually, setting the temperature of an electric hot water tank is very easy to do. But you will need some tools. One of these is a screwdriver that fits into the slot at the bottom where you can turn it up or down. Once you get it then follow the steps below;

  1. Find the setting for your upper thermostat. It should be around 130 degrees. If it’s already at 140 or higher, turn it down to 120 degrees and see if you notice a difference in the amount of hot water available.
  2. Find the setting for your lower thermostat. It should be around 120 degrees. If it’s higher, turn it down to 110 or 100 and see if you notice a difference.
  3. You can adjust both the upper and lower thermostat settings to the temperature you want. Setting upper and lower thermostat water heater is essential when it comes to your monthly energy bills.
  4. Electric units have a lower limit of 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding with the unit’s heating element. So adjust this first.
  5. Setting the temperature of an electric unit is very easy to do. But adjusting the upper and lower thermostats will help you save energy on heating costs of hot water in your home.
  6. Set the upper thermostat to the temp you want and some degrees higher than the current temperature. Then set the lower thermostat to the temp which is some degrees below the current temperature.
  7. Turn on power at the breaker box.
  8. Wait a few minutes before turning on the water heater again.

Why does My Electric Water Heater have Two Thermostats?

An electric unit has two coils, the bottom coil that heats the water directly with electricity to just over 120 degrees Fahrenheit for safety’s sake.

A second heating element or top coil ensures a continuous supply of hot water. By pre-heating the water between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit before it sends it to your faucets.

Most electric water heaters also have two thermostats: an upper and lower under two control panels. To ensure that your water heater works properly, you should set both thermostats for the same temperature.

The temperature shall be optimal at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have only 4 or 6 thermostats then adjust both equal to 1 watt. The top shouldn’t be much lower than at the bottom. The top must be some degree higher than the bottoms. You need two water heaters.

How to Set the Temperature on a Tankless Water Heater

You can set the temperature using the digital control panel in the control bar. The tankless water heater does quite similar to setting the thermostats for the temperature of the air conditioning unit.

FAQs: Common Setting Upper And Lower Thermostat Water Heater

Should the Top and Bottom Water Heater Thermostats be Set to the Same Temperature?

No, the lower thermostat should be set to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit while the upper one can go up to 130 or 140.

What can I do to Reduce the Energy Consumption of My Water Heater?

Take faster showers and Run only full loads of dishes and laundry. Turn off water heater when vacationing and lower your water heater’s thermostat. Insulate your water heater and pipes. Install low-flow faucets and showerheads. Finally, Use water-efficient appliances.

What is the Recommended Temperature for a Hot Water Heater?

It is recommended that a heater should heat at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why does My Water Heater Have 2 Thermostats?

Water heaters that use dual elements use two independent thermostats to control the heating elements. A heating element resides in the upper portion of the column of water. The temperature can be reduced depending on your usage. This uses less energy, lowering your electricity bill.

What Happens If the Water Is Too Hot or Too Cold?

If the water heater temp is too high it may produce too much water burning or scalding it can also lead to leaks.

When they are too low, this can promote bacteria and cause water disease. If you do not adjust your water heater temperature. This is likely the default for most manufacturers of hot water heaters, which is 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It should reportedly be set for 120 or 140 degrees.

Conclusion 

Want to save more money on your utility bills and be more comfortable at the same time? Consider setting your thermostat water heater correctly.

Setting your upper and lower thermostats means that when it’s cold outside. Your water will stay warm enough for a while before heating up again. This saves both gas and electricity costs!

Similarly, by doing this, you’ll also maintain a constant temperature in your home. So you don’t have to worry about being too hot or too cold.

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