You can adjust the temperature of your water heater by changing the setting of the thermostat. On new water heaters, the thermostats are set low from the factory. That is a safe and economical starting point. You can raise the water temperature.
On other water heaters, the setting might be too hot for you. You can lower the water temperature.
Nearly all water heaters are made by a very few manufacturers and sold under such brand names as Kenmore, Rheem, Whirlpool, GE, Ruud, Reliance, Maytag and State. The controls on water heaters are all similar. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Turn off the power to the electric water heater. The easiest and most common way to do this is to turn off the circuit breaker in the electrical panel. In very old buildings there may be fuses to remove.
2. Remove the access panel by first removing the screws that hold it in place. It is attached with two screws, one at the top and one at the bottom of the panel. Remove these screws and the panel.
3. Remove the insulation that covers the thermostat and heating element. The thermostat and heating element are now in plain view. If there is a plastic cover over the element, it need not be removed to adjust the thermostat.
4. Turn the thermostat control. It appears as a small shaft with a slot in it. Insert the small flat head screwdriver in the slot. As you turn the shaft with the screwdriver, the attached indicator will point to numerals which pertain to water temperature as expressed in degrees Fahrenheit. Turn it to the temperature you want.
5. Replace the insulation and the cover panels. Turn the power back on.
Tags: water heaters, water temperature, heating element, panel Remove, shaft with, thermostat heating
