Water Heaters
Best Water Heater Temperature Setting
The short answer
Around 120°F is a common household water-heater setting because it balances comfort, energy use, and scald risk. Storage-temperature guidance can vary based on the system and household health needs, so homes with special medical, commercial, or recirculation requirements may need different guidance and mixing/tempering controls.
Common symptoms
- Water is too hot or too cold
- Want to reduce energy costs
- Concerned about scalding risk for children or elderly
- Water heater was adjusted by a previous homeowner
Most likely causes
- —Thermostat set too high (140°F or above)
- —Thermostat set too low (below 120°F)
- —Thermostat drifted out of calibration
- —New water heater not yet adjusted
Safe things you can check
- ✓For a gas heater, check the external control setting and compare it with the manufacturer's labeling.
- ✓Use a thermometer at a faucet after the water temperature has stabilized to see what temperature is actually being delivered.
- ✓Do not remove electric water-heater access panels or adjust internal thermostats unless you are qualified and have safely disconnected power; those compartments contain line-voltage wiring.
- ✓If anyone in the home has increased scald risk, consider properly set anti-scald or thermostatic mixing protection and discuss the appropriate storage/delivery temperature with a qualified professional.
When to call a professional
If the thermostat won't hold a consistent temperature, or the water is dangerously hot despite a low setting, the thermostat or gas control valve may be failing — we replace it.
Related professional service
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Reviewed by Paul Hall, Owner & Licensed Plumber
The Classic Plumber · Knoxville, TN · License #4268
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