Water Heater Upper Lower Thermostat Settings

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.

Water heater upper lower thermostat settings. It s not necessary that both thermostats will do the same work their work can vary according to the water heater unit. Marker to mark the setting on your thermostat. The upper thermostat controls both the upper and lower element. An upper and a lower located under two control panels.

The majority of electric water heaters have two thermostats. Thermometer for testing the water temperature. The upper element stays off because there is still 140 degree water at the top of the tank. Most manufacturers recommend changing the lower thermostat setting while leaving the upper thermostat at the factory setting.

When it goes bad you don t have any hot water at all. This article deals with thermostats on electric water heaters. Keep in mind that the thermostat is factory preset to a recommended temperature and changing the setting may increase the potential for serious burns. The cold water turns on the lower element and begins preheating the lower tank.

Adjusting an electric hot water heater temperature thermostat setting. Testing water heater thermostats is important in locating water heater problems. According to the u s. 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.

Keep in mind that an electric water heater may have two thermostats one each for the upper and lower heating elements. As a safety precaution shut off the electricity to the water heater before removing opening the panels. Adjusting an electric hot water heater temperature thermostat setting is a little more involved but still relatively easy. Hot water heater settings are easy to adjust although electric heaters will require a screwdriver and possibly a small wrench or socket.

Department of energy for each 10 degree reduction in water temperature you can save between 3 and 5 percent in energy costs. I m guessing that setting your top thermostat to a 150 would give you small amount of really hot water rather quickly while setting the upper and lower thermostats evenly to a moderate temperature 115 125 would be your quickest way to get a full tank of hot water. 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.