Why Adjust Hot Water Temperature?
If you can stand shorter (or cooler) showers, turning down the thermostat on your water heater is a great way to save on your electric bill each month. Also, according to the EERE, a lower hot water temperature reduces mineral build-up and slows corrosion of your hot water pipes. That’s not why we did it, though. We just wanted to make sure our faucet readings were well below the 120-degree upper-limit for an adoption inspection. Note that setting your water heater temperature too high is dangerous, and can result in scalding. Setting the temperature too low may reduce your dishwasher or washing machine’s cleaning power if they lack an internal heater. A temperature between 120F and 125F is ideal for most situations. Here’s general instructions for how to adjust an electric water heater’s thermostats (there are two, one at the bottom and one at the top). Consult the owner’s manual that came with your water heater for instructions for your particular model.
