Hot water is essential. It’s as simple as that! While it’s also something that is very easy to take for granted, it’s a luxury we expect to have available each and every day. There’s no denying that! As such, this is a major reason why we focus on water heaters so much here on our plumbing blog! It’s because in those rare instances where you don’t have hot water, it can be extremely frustrating.

Another reason why we emphasize maintaining your hot water heater is due to the fact that it impacts you from a financial perspective as well! Take this quick fact from the Department of Energy into consideration: “Water heaters account for nearly 17 percent of a home’s energy use, consuming more energy than all other household appliances combined.” With this in mind, it’s not hard to see how focusing on efficiency in regards to your water heater can certainly help your bottom line!

This week on the blog, I’m going to dive into one easy way to make your water heater more efficient and that revolves around setting it at an optimum temperature. Something as simple as changing the temperature can really pay massive dividends. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll highlight some of the other alternatives for further improving efficiency.

What is the perfect temperature for a hot water heater?

Generally speaking, for most households, the ideal temperature is going to be 120°F. I would like to preface this by saying there is no “perfect” temperature. Later on in this blog, we’ll touch on a few of the instances in which 120°F isn’t going to be the right temperature. So why is 120°F the magic number?

  • Anything lower than this raises a few risks! On a serious note, you’ll need to be mindful of bacteria growing and arising from stagnant water. If that doesn’t scare you off, there’s also going to be the possibility of water simply not being hot enough!
  • Anything higher than this number is going to instantly lead to higher energy bills. Remember when we said water heaters account for nearly 17 percent of a home’s energy usage? Well, if you were to increase the temperature from 120°F to 140°F, it’s not hard to see how this could have a financial impact.
  • An added benefit of keeping it at 120°F is the realization that it’ll slow down any mineral build-up. For those familiar with our blog, you know we’ve touched on the topic of flushing out your water heater. In most cases, this is going to be your best tactic for extending the lifespan of your heater and getting the most out of your investment.

When is 120°F not the right temperature?

Before you head over to lower the temperature of your water heater, be sure to keep reading. While 120°F is going to be ideal for most, it’s not going to be perfect for everyone. Water heater temperatures are certainly not a one-size-fits-all element. There are going to be certain households where it’ll make more sense to up the temperature to 140°F. To get an accurate answer, we referenced the same article from the Department of Energy that we linked above.

“If you have a suppressed immune system or chronic respiratory disease, you may consider keeping your hot water tank at 140°F. However, this high temperature significantly increases the risk of scalding. To minimize the risk, you can install mixing valves or other temperature-regulating devices.”

There is your answer. Don’t ignore the final statement about scalding though! It only takes a few mere seconds for a young child to be burned by water at 140°F. Utilize those temperature-regulating devices on your faucets to suit various occupants in your household. 

Worried about scalding affecting your young children? Check out our blog on “Baby-Proofing Your Plumbing System.” It covers the various steps you can take to ensure your plumbing system is all ready to go! In the blog, you’ll also find links to various products on Amazon, including an anti-scalding device.

Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold

As shown above, you have two common problems to be concerned with. If the temperature is too low, you need to be mindful of bacteria. If the temperature is too hot, you run the risk of scalding. Both are real issues and should be on your mind when getting your water heater all set. The solution to solving this problem is a Water Heater Tank Booster. As described on this particular product, “The Tank Booster is a thermostatic mixing valve that mixes hot and cold water together to deliver the desired output temperature. After installing, turn the set temperature on your water heater up from 120°F to 140°F. The Tank Booster then mixes cold water back in to reduce the temperature down to a safe 120°F.”

So, in essence, what this booster is doing is fairly straightforward. Water stored in the tank is kept at 140°F. This protects against any concern of bacteria growth, legionella in particular. This type of bacteria is most prevalent in water stored between 68°F and 113°F. At 140°F, you’ll have nothing to worry about. The second half of this equation (scalding) is just as simple. Before the water ever reaches the tap, it is mixed with cold water to bring the temperature down. A true win-win situation!

Other Efficiency Hacks for Water Heaters

Without a doubt, lowering the temperature on a hot water heater is the easiest way to improve efficiency. As evidenced above, there is a clear window in which you’ll want to target and all it takes to arrive at your ideal temperature just involves having an understanding of who is in your household. However, as I mentioned in the opening paragraphs, there are other ways to improve water heater efficiency:

  • Tank vs. Tankless – This is the most common debate when it comes to water heaters. Both are great options and present their own strengths/weaknesses. For those unfamiliar with tankless water heaters, an easy way to think about them is by calling them “on-demand.” It doesn’t waste any energy constantly heating water and simply heats it when a tap is opened. So are they more efficient than storage tank water heaters? Yes. They are not using that extra energy to keep the entire tank of water heated. At the same time though, keep in mind that tankless water heaters will require a higher up-front investment than their tank-style alternatives.
  • Miscellaneous Cost-Saving Tactics – While one thing by itself isn’t going to drastically cut back your monthly utility costs. There are a handful of different activities that’ll add up in a hurry! When you’re washing the dishes or brushing your teeth, you don’t necessarily need to have the water running the entire time. Turn it off when you don’t need it running. Some of the newer water heater models have a “vacation mode” setting. Turn it to this and your water heater’s temperature will drop in an effort to conserve energy while you’re away. If this vacation happens to be during the winter, it will make sure it’s powered enough to prevent frozen pipes.

Call the Water Heater Experts of Kansas City!

Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, we take pride in providing a whole range of water heater services. Repairs, new installation, residential, commercial, new construction, you name it! Your water heater is a critical piece of your day-to-day life and we want to make sure it doesn’t create any headaches!

If you have a water heater problem on your hands, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (816) 348-3481. You can also fill out our online free quote form. For the time being, we will be offering $100 off any new water heater installation and 10% off any repairs for first-time Stine-Nichols customers. We serve the entire Kansas City area, including surrounding cities such as Parkville, Liberty, Kearney, Overland Park and Lee’s Summit.