The Best Water Heater Temperature Setting | A Master Plumber's Preferred Temp Setting

[@WWJD4YOU]

Nice hydrangeas! Good knowledge too!

[@papabits5721]

My pop was a master plumber and was a grumpy too

[@billsheehy1]

Love the new hairstyle. Much better

[@josephhuston7590]

Great advice if you never turn on your cold water.Lousey advice for lower water pressure in the shower.

[@shaniaa9287]

I've got my 30 gallon tank at 145 degrees. I only had 2 choices 120 or 145...I only turn on hot until it comes out the faucet I want to use, then adjust with cold water. I've never burned myself thank goodness and I never asked my neighbor lady 😄👍

[@marcmarc1967]

But it may cost you $1000+ every year to maintain the 145 degrees constantly.

[@shaniaa9287]

@marcmarc1967 my electric bill for my house averages 100 a month inclusive. Is that a lot? My tank is a 30 gallon tank. So far I've been ok with the cost

[@damon323]

The part where you mentioned legionnaires is something nobody talks about! I recently learned about that rebuilding my tank with new elements, thermostats and expansion tank. Legionnaires seems to be serious sh*t. Anything below 122 degrees Fahrenheit is a perfect breading ground for it. I got my new thermostats set to 125 on the low end, 130 on the upper

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

@damon323, you should have both set at the same temperature. Set them at 130 degrees.

[@RR-vf2bd]

This winter was colder in Northern East coast. I would like to water hotter. Otherwise it is getting too cold in shower

[@hairlesscactus]

I like the cactus on the table behind you. Thanks for mentioning too low of temp, just got new w.heater, plumber set at 125, seems a little low to me.

[@usernamemykel]

I visited my (ex) wive's brother, in Bogota, Colombia, where we stayed during a brief vacation. When I took a shower, I was pissed off that there was apparently no hot water. When I mentioneed that to my brother in law, he explained that the letter "C" on a handle, didn't mean "cold", in Colombia, but meant "Caliente" - as in hot!

[@barryhunt5357]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and the family Grumpy

[@keithcronk7980]

Keep them COMING SIR thx yall

[@AshtonKish]

I remember the hottest water I've ever experienced was this guest house in Osaka, Japan. You know when you turn on hot water and check the temp to make sure it's hot before you adjust the temp with cold? Well, I touched that water, and it must have been something over 160F. I know this because I tend to keep my home water at 130-140, and it was WAY beyond that, for sure. It was like instant burns! I hurt myself like three times in that place because of that water.

[@CGAZ66]

I recently changed out the bathtub single valve mix water valve. Wife says water doesn't get as hot like before. She says all the other faucets and the other tub is fine. Question is do they make a safety mix so water does not get as hot with some single water valves? Strange I never had an issue before. Thought it was her,but she is correct it does not get as hot like before . I like it but she likes her water really hot.

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

Drone & Video -AZ, you can change the temperature. When you take the handle off, there should be some kind of device that you can reset the temperature. If I knew the brand name of the faucet, I might be able to give you more information. Since you repaired that faucet, I have a lot of faith in you to figure it out.

[@marthasimmons4800]

I love these guys!!!!

[@JL-hn6hi]

We had a B&B host in Europe who turned the water temp way down at night to save. Is that feasible to do in North America with a gas unit?

[@damon323]

Not a good idea at all. You hear the part in the video about legionnaires? You should read up on that

[@charlesrichard8601]

We have a ground temperature problem here in the desert southwest, I actually turn my hot water heater off in July & August because with outside temps over 115 average if you leave the pilot light burning 24/7 it can cause overheating inside the tank. Believe it or not.🙏

[@JuanGonzalez-fp3zw]

Hi. I moved into a house in Texas a couple weeks ago. Previous owners were running electric water heater at 140. Inspector recommended 120. It is set at 120. It still feels too hot. Even my cold water feels warm. Should I lower it? Thanks.

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

If you were to buy a new electric water heater, it would come preset at 110 degrees. You need to set the upper thermostat at 110 degrees and the lower thermostat at 110 degrees.

[@rj.parker]

What do you think about using a thermostatic mixing valve on top of an electric water heater to extend hot water and to allow 140f setpoints on the wh?

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

RJParker, no, a thermostatic valve will not extend the hot water. You could add another water heater in parallel and you’d get twice as much water. If you have a 30 gallon water heater, you only have 20 gallons of useable hot water. If you have a 40 gallon wh, you have 27 gallons of useable hot water. When the cold water goes into the bottom of the tank, it pushes out the hot water. That’s why you get 2/3 of usable hot water. An on demand heater gives you 100% of useable hot water.

[@sheilasmith1109]

There’s nothing like a guy with YEARS of experience!!! I don’t trust the young guys!❤😊 QUESTION! What do you think about using a water heater jacket? Do they pay for themselves to buy? Especially if in an in UN-heated old, unfinished Minnesota farm house, VS a modern fully finished off basement home?

[@brianjohnson8883]

On an electric water heater, should not the upper element be set a little hotter then the lower element to keep the lower element from doing all the work? more efficient

[@nedflanders1559]

"a little hotter THAN the lower..."

[@juliaalan5505]

Hi, thank you so much for the help. I put 125. The water is not hot because winter is coming. It is OK. I put 130 please. I need the question thank you. Please. 🙏

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

@@juliaalan5505 yes, it’s okay to put the temperature at 130. Make sure you set both elements at the same temperature.

[@brittblanton8342]

Thanks for the great information Jim and I am not going to ask the neighbor she is a know it all and I don’t trust her 😂

[@joefath9474]

I recently moved to a newly built home. We have a power venting 50-gallon, 50000 BTUH gas hot water heater. Our old home had a direct venting hot water tank with similar specs(about 7 years old). The new home is a bungalow, the old home was a four-level back split. The water gets hot but seems to take a while to get there. In the old house, the hot water delivery was much faster even though the distance from the tank to the furthest point was slightly greater in the old house. Any thoughts as to why this might be happening?

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

It’s not the water heater in your new house that is the problem because on the old house you had a circulating pump on the water heater. That’s why you had fast delivery of hot water. Maybe one can be installed in the new house.

[@aponoypi]

I adjusted the temperature between a and b. Turned on hot water. Hot but not right. Do i have to wait until the water inside the water gets hotter? Thanks

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

It doesn’t instantly get hot so wait awhile.

[@imaSoldier187]

I like everything in the video the only thing I was wondering is should you set the top and bottom the same or should one be higher than the other? I just ask cause everything I look up they say either the same or set the top 5-10 degrees higher but I also see people saying set the lower higher so I have no idea. I just want to say the guy that installed our water heater is not a plumber and I looked today he has the top set to 135 and the bottom set to 145. I just want to follow what you are saying here and I assume that just means set them the same at 120-140 so probably 125-130 for both. I am all about saving money and it lasting longer I also don't need super piping hot water.

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

The manufacturer sets both elements at 110 degrees. The upper element comes on first, heating 75% of the water in the tank. When the temperature reaches the water temperature on the thermostat, it turns off. Immediately the bottom element turns on and heats the other 25% and then turns off. When you’re using the water and the temperature drops in the tank, the top element comes on. I recommend both elements be set at 120 degrees. I don’t see any advantage in going over 120. Thanks for your question.

[@imaSoldier187]

@@TheGrumpyPlumber Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. I will get that set today and not worry about it anymore.

[@redcricket5751]

Whenever I want to take a bath, my hot water runs out before my bathtub is full to where I want it, so I definitely need my temperature turned up.

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

You must have an electric water heater. Turn both elements up to 125 degrees. See if that helps.

[@pamelaswan2774]

My water heater is an energy saver and set at 129- I finally got a new bathtub surround (after 30 years!) and I love my tub but I really want hotter water so I can soak in luxury for once can I turn it up as easy as you'ev said.?

[@condor5635]

@@pamelaswan2774no it is not that easy to adjust for the average home owner. It’s not like a dial on a gas heater. You typically have to remove two small panels and turn adjustment screws. Not difficult but not straightforward or obvious

[@NoDaysOff309]

I learned alot from this thank you

[@condor5635]

Well don’t believe everything you hear. Electric heater manufacturers do not ship out heaters set at 110. Patently false

[@ACoustaDC]

Jim my WH has no markings on it. What should it be at the faucet? I wanna compare your answer with my paper boy.

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

ACoustaDC, always great to hear from you. The temperature at the kitchen faucet should be around 120. The tub and shower valves should not exceed 115. It will fluctuate the longer the distance from the water heater.

[@ACoustaDC]

@@TheGrumpyPlumber Thank you!

[@tomclees8768]

Hi, Great info, thanks. Question please: If my thermocouple is producing enough microvolts, but my pilot light will only stay on for 3-15 minutes, could it be the solenoid in the temp control unit? And can I open that to replace the solenoid? Thanks!

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

@tomclees8768, if the water heater was made in the last 20 years, we don’t use the old fashion thermocouple. Water heater manufacturers have made their own thermocouple and they can be very sensitive. I recommend you call the manufacturer and they will either give you one or sell you one, depending on how old the heater is. The pilot light heats the thermocouple and tells the burner to come on. If there is no flame, it turns the gas valve off. Hope this helps.

[@tomclees8768]

@@TheGrumpyPlumber It helps, thanks. can i open the control valve (gas off of course) and remove the solenoid to replace it (nu thermocouple works, but pilot still goes out after 3-20 minutes, sometimes longer, so maybe its a sticky or failing solenoid)? you guys are great, thanks!

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

@tomclees8768, do not touch that gas valve. If you replace the manufacturers thermocouple, then the problem is in the gas valve. If the water heater is older than six years, it’s not worth replacing the gas valve. Buy a new heater. One more thing, I’m almost positive they would not sell you parts for the gas valve.

[@tomclees8768]

@@TheGrumpyPlumber Thank you again! Is it possible to find the older style gas water heaters? A local plumber said he would not put the "modern" ones in a laundry room because they new ones are so enclosed, or some such.

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

@tomclees8768, sorry but they are not made anymore. A new Navien on demand heater would be a good replace.

[@marybroderick8265]

We have a solar hot water heater that keeps the water at 120 to 130. It saves us lots of money.

[@jason200912]

Rig up the solar to ac during the summer too

[@jason200912]

Oh and solar refrigerator and stove!

[@matthewnazaroff9537]

Hey don’t you also have a Hawaii travel guide channel?

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

@matthewnazaroff9537, you are so observant!!

[@ChuckP25.]

Hey Jim & Jordan. Thanks for the info Jim. You better make sure Gov Newsome allows you to use your water heater. Greetings from Iowa. If you don't believe me, ask the mailman. Thumbs up.

[@emilydownie-lott5518]

My tank is 50 gal. Even with no flow restriction I should be able to take a super long sgower

[@AmericanFarmerHVAC2024]

It's a personal preference and depends on what you are doing. I like 125.

[@emilydownie-lott5518]

I don't understand about the valve temp. In my shower I have a single knob that goes from hot to cold. I have an electric water heater. My old heater was good, untill it wasn't . I always remove any flow obstruction from my shower head before it ever goes in my shower. My heater started running cold after a couple minutes or either I had to reset before every shower. I got a new heater 10 gal. Larger. It's better, but where I used to start my shower with the knob on half way now I must start deeper to the hot side. And it's never too hot.

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

Emily Downie-Lott, it could be the thermostat setting on the water heater so check the thermostat setting and turn it up if possible. If the shower valve is less than 25 years old, it is a pressure balance valve. To reset that temperature, you need to remove the handle and there will be a device there to reset the temperature. Turn the temperature up on the water heater and make sure it’s at desired temperature by checking at a hot faucet and not the tub. Then set the temperature at the tub to 115 degrees. You must use a thermometer to check temperatures. If using a plumber, make sure he is using a thermometer to check the temperature. If doing yourself, set the water heater to 130 degrees and in an hour, check temp at the faucet. You might not have to adjust the shower valve when heater temp is turned up. Make sure to turn the power off to the heater when adjusting the temperature.

[@Joemil271]

Can you set the temp between the hot and A setting to make it just a bit hotter?

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

@Joemil271, you can set the water heater to any temperature you would like. Setting between the hot and A setting should be a good temperature. Give it a try.

[@patricialatimer6154]

Hi from Michigan. 40 gallon gas hot water heater put in 1997. Although still working I know I'm pushing my luck. Recommendation on what brand I should look for?

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

Patricia Latimer, I’ve used a lot of Bradford White heaters when I worked in Michigan and had good luck with them. They are also made in Michigan.

[@apexnine]

I just put in a BW with a Honeywell electronic gas valve. It failed 7 times in 32 days. I suggest getting a BW with the White Roger's thermostat (not electronic) if you have a gas water tank. I had the White Roger's put on. So far okay. Time will tell. I had the exact same issue with Honeywell on a Rheem I took back to Home Depot before I bought the BW. It's a Honeywell issue and it's a terrible experience.

[@gosman949]

@@TheGrumpyPlumber I just got a Bradford White electric just yesterday in Ft. Worth, TX.

[@AshtonKish]

I also have a gas water heater put in 1997! The thing still works! I'm stunned. Not looking forward to when it gives out, though. Thinking of buying a heater ahead of time just in case.

[@SethHollingshead]

Bradford is supposed to be the best ..I have a rheem but $500 broke the bank for me. Though you can get a 50ish gallon for $600. Unfortunately I couldn't wait to get min through a dealer so homedepot I go lol

[@thomasdanes9234]

Where's snow birds birds and I turn my water heater off while we're gone should I drain it too

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

Thomas Danes, I would turn the water supply off to the house also. No need to drain the heater.

[@thomasdanes9234]

@@TheGrumpyPlumber Thank you.

[@lizard8374]

Hi, I’m new homeowner on a house from 2002. The water takes about a happy birthday song the get tepid and about 6 minutes or so to get hotter. That’s a lot of wasted water. My water heater is blue plastic or metal 20yrs old, and my oil boiler is 3 years old. Can’t take a shower for at least 10 min. Is that normal ?

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

It all depends on the location of the water heater to the shower. If the heater is located under the shower, it will only take seconds. If the heater is 50 feet away, it’s going to take much longer. If there is a circulating line on the water heater and the pump is working and the line is not air locked, that will only takes seconds to get hot water. Eventually, you do get hot water so that means the heater is working and if it’s not leaking water out of the bottom, don’t replace it. It comes down to how the house was designed and how they piped the heater to the bathrooms.

[@mikeferretti7422]

Mine only has Cold Medium Hot. How do I find out what temperature my hot gets too.

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

Mike, you need a thermometer that goes over 212 degrees. Turn hot water on that’s closest to the water heater. Check with the thermometer. If temp is not hot enough, turn it up and wait 24 hrs. then check again. If you want it colder, do same process.

[@AFractal]

My renter wants me to adjust an insta hot Water jeater to hos desired shower temperature when the shower valve is 100 percent open rather than him turning and adjusting the temperature at the shower handle. It is currently set to 115. He says to me the shower doesn't work that way. I explained if it didn't they would not add cold water lines to showers. How would you explain it? We do not adjust the temperature for each user, in other words.

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

Most plumbing codes state that water temperature at the tub and shower valves can not exceed 115 degrees. That’s why all new shower valves are pressure balance valves. If you have an electric water heater, manufacturers have it set at 110 degrees. They recommend gas heaters be set at “hot” which is around 110 degrees. You can set the water temperature as high as you want but the shower/tub valve will only go to 115 degrees. I always tell people that a hot tub does not exceed 104 degrees. So back to your tenant, he might want the temperature higher but if burns himself, he will blame you.

[@condor5635]

@@TheGrumpyPlumberas I indicated… there is no way heater manufacturers will set to 110 and force every customer to change it to the safe level of 120… From the web The factory temperature setting for a Rheem water heater is usually 120°F. This temperature is set to comply with safety regulations and is usually stored throughout the tank, which can hold 20-80 gallons of hot water.

[@rayvelasco2059]

Most Excellent ¿

[@JohnSmith-ef6rg]

My water heater is hot all of the sudden. I thought I saw it set to B and I have reduced it to below A. I had contractors come in and they used water from the water heater to mix water. I have a fear they screwed around with it now but they said they didn't touch it. :(

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

Sounds like they got into your wallet. If you can’t put the temperature down on the water heater, it sounds like your thermostat has gone bad and if under six years old, they will get you a new one. If over six years old, you should of replaced the heater. Small mixing valves do not work very well.

[@JohnSmith-ef6rg]

@@TheGrumpyPlumber It looks like they increased the heat for whatever reason. I moved it back to the arrow and emptied the water and it's back to normal. I hope I can get a little more life out of it. We live in Chicago so the water is pretty clean here.

[@12JDWYO]

Would love to hear your dad’s thoughts on the EPA😅

[@55azguy]

👍

[@chrischernes2235]

I’m going away for a month in December. Should I put my hot water heater on warm or vacation mode

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

@chrischernes2235, put the water heater on vacation mode, turn the water supply off to the house and walk away and enjoy your vacation.

[@MrJet30]

I want to save on my gas bill, so i set mine one click below Hot, If Hot is about 120 then i guess mine is set to about 115, I also turned mine down because when it was on Hot it would burn me.

[@Anonomush_oranges]

I'm curious as to why a gas water heater is easily adjusted whereas an electric requires killing the power and taking off some panels.

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

Gas water heaters have a burner like your gas stove that is easy to adjust. An electric water heater has an upper and a lower element that is high voltage so you don’t want to be sticking your fingers in there without turning off the power. If you want to adjust the temperature on an electric heater, you must set both thermostats at the same temperature.

[@devilcity5827]

Some pictures would have been nice for the new home owners. ❤

[@jason200912]

Go above 120 to kill bacteria and always stay below 140. 130 and below is safest for durability of the metal

[@PlayRightParent]

So 125 degrees?

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

PlayRightParent, yes, 125 degrees.

[@sheshickey]

My husband and I argue about this ALL the time. I turn down the WH, he turns it back up.

[@usernamemykel]

He needs a new wife, she needs a new husband, if they can't compromise.

[@MStanley993]

Hey guys. I have my water heater on “C.. and I want to turn it down. can I change it to a different Temperature while it’s on?

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

Turn the temperature down to A and see how you like that. If the burner shuts off while you are turning it down, don’t worry about it.

[@be236]

I bought a house with electric water heater... Asked the previous homeowner how to change the heater temp.. he didnt know (imagine that)... when I turned on the hot water, after a few seconds, it was scalding hot, so I had to mix it with cold water knob to lower its temp... after six months, got the courage to research and look up how to change the water heater temp on KZbin... and found its temp setting was about 135F... Going to turn it down to 120F and see how it goes from there....

[@be236]

@@MichaelDirk you too. seems many people in the same boat.

[@condor5635]

Yeh I’m supposed to believe electric heaters are set to 110 by the manufacturer when you clearly say the government says a minimum of 120 is necessary for health. So every person that buys an electric heater will have to adjust higher by 10 degrees. Adjusting them is not easy either for the average Joe

[@StartVisit]

why do you need water heater in California 😮

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

The incoming water at my house is 76 degrees. I have to have a water heater, otherwise my wife would complain and I want her happy.

[@TV-xv1le]

Set your tank to 140. Install a mixing valve to bring the temp down to 120. Do not set your tank to 120 or 125. That is way to low to kill bacteria. Mixing valves exist for a reason.

[@condor5635]

125 way too low…? Wrong

[@TV-xv1le]

@condor5635 not wrong. Bacteria spreads. We know a tank needs to be at least 140 to kill bacteria. And the point of a mixing valve is to make your tank more efficient and provide more hot water.

[@condor5635]

@@TV-xv1le - no one would recommend 140° on a water heater. Totally unnecessary - bacteria and all that is killed between 125 and 130. The government states 120. As stated on the Internet. ‘ is 140° too hot for a water heater? Yes 140° is generally considered too hot for a water heater water at this temperature can cause severe burns within seconds. The recommended is between 120 and 130. This range is enough to prevent bacterial growth in the water while also reducing the scalding. So go ahead and set yours at 140 and waste your money and increase increase risks of burns for no good reason. Good luck with that mixing valve too

[@TV-xv1le]

@condor5635 the govt wants you at 120 to save energy. It's bs. It takes several hours even at 140 to kill legionella. You want to take a chance go ahead. I don't in my household. I don't need luck with a mixing valve. You use a mixing valve to bring the water down from 140 also at faucet. I really hope your not a plumber. Theres no risk of burns.. at all. That's why you have a mixing valve. To get more hot water out of your tank. You set to 140 to kill legionella. You install a mixing valve to bring it down to around 120. You have more hot water. You don't get burned. You guarantee killing legionella within a few hours.

[@TV-xv1le]

@condor5635 140 degrees still takes a few hours to kill legionella. 120 is absolutely not high enough. A mixing valve is to bring 140 down to 120. You get more hot water and you guarantee killing legionella in a few hours. I don't need luck with my mixing valve been using them for years. Find a plumber that knows how to install it right. Nobody is burning themsleves that's the point of the mixing valve.

[@micheledickinson4978]

Do I ask questions here, this sucks. Would like to ask a question to real person, no way to do that I take it!!!

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

Michele Dickinson, this is the place to ask a question and I will answer as best I can as soon as I can. Thanks for watching my video.

[@MrWhat-ef1xr]

Jim, while you were kneeling at the hot water heater, could you say a prayer for me ?

[@dwddwd4072]

Got a question Electric water heater changed up top bottom element both thermostats and the breaker I can only get five minutes of water before it turns cold what’s up? Have you ever had this problem

[@TheGrumpyPlumber]

dwd dwd, if you have a full flow shower head and not a water saver shower head, you’re using five gallons a minute. On a 40 gallon heater, you only have about 26 gallons of usable hot water. Another thing you could check….on the cold side water supply there is a tube that goes down 30 inches into the heater to take the cold water to the bottom. That tube could be cracked or broke. A five minute shower is really a pretty long shower. We all love a nice long shower so I can understand why you are complaining. There are some very good water saving shower heads out there now.

[@dwddwd4072]

@@TheGrumpyPlumber I think the cold side filled tube is broken thanks though