How to Adjust the Temperature on Your Water Heater

Written on: February 17, 2025

Finding the Setting That’s Just Right for Comfort and Savings

Did you know that most water heaters have a default setting of 140°? Even if you love your showers extra hot, that temperature is not only dangerous, it’s also inefficient. Reducing the temperature setting to 120° will meet all your hot water needs and save as much as 10% in heating costs.

Think about it: If you’re running just as much cold water as hot when you take a shower, just to get the temperature right, you’re paying to heat water and then cooling it down. The good news is that it’s easy to adjust the temperature setting for your water heater to ensure your showers are plenty hot, without the danger of scalding. And, if you are concerned about water being hot enough to sanitize dishes or laundry, remember that most dishwashers and washing machines have their own water-heating elements to boost temps.

Adjusting Water Heater Temperature

Generally, turning the temperature of your water heater up or down is easy—but remember if you have an electric water heater, extra precaution is required. Be sure to turn off the power to the water heater at the circuit breaker first.

To adjust the temperature on your tank-style gas water heater, find the temperature dial on the control valve near the bottom of the tank. Then, use a flathead screwdriver to raise or lower the temperature.

You’ll need to wait at least three hours before checking the water temperature at a faucet.
If necessary, readjust the dial and wait another few hours.

To adjust the temperature on a tankless or on-demand water heater, it’s even easier. Simply locate the temperature control panel on the unit and use the digital display or buttons to adjust the setting. It should only take a few minutes for the change to take effect.

Use Vacation Settings

Going away for a week or two? Vacation settings make it easy to save energy and are great for use with seasonal or vacation homes. This lowers the temperature to about 50° while you are away. Just remember to raise it back to its normal setting when you return!

More Ways to Lower Water Heating Costs

When you consider that heating water—for bathing, dishwashing, laundry, and more—accounts for close to 20% of your heating costs, you may want to talk to us about upgrading your water heater to a high-efficiency model that can help you save even more.

To take savings up another notch, you should consider a tankless water heater. With a traditional tank-type water heater, you are paying to keep a large amount of water hot all the time—even when you’re away for vacation. Tankless propane water heaters, which are also known as demand water heaters, use an electric pilot and a hot propane flame to heat water immediately when you turn the tap. That translates to virtually unlimited hot water and lower fuel bills. You can opt for whole-house models or smaller versions that can be installed where they are needed to generate hot water—a great solution for an addition or guest house.

Ready to Learn More?

The pros at Pico Propane can help you choose the best water heater option for your needs, install it correctly—and provide great service and maintenance plans to protect your investment. Enjoy energy efficiency and all the hot water you need with a new water heater! Contact us today to get started.