The majority of electric water heaters have two thermostats: an upper and a lower, located under two control panels. To ensure your electric water heater works as efficiently as possible, you should set both of the thermostats at the same temperature.
What should my water heater thermostats be set at?
120 degrees Fahrenheit
120 degrees Fahrenheit is the safety recommendation against scalding, but 140° is the common default setting. Most experts agree that anything below 120 degrees creates a risk for bacteria to develop inside your water heater from stagnant water, such as legionella that causes Legionnaire’s disease.
How does a water heater with two thermostats work?
A dual-element water heater uses two heating elements controlled by two separate thermostats. The upper element heats the upper portion of the water column. When it reaches a specified temperature, Rheem notes that it shuts off, and the lower heating element takes over, heating the rest of the water.
Should the top and bottom thermostat water heater?
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Quote from Youtube video: As two separate heating elements and thermostats. So it's very important that you adjust both to the proper setting.
Why does my hot water tank have two thermostats?
Most electric water heaters above 20 gallons have two thermostats that sense the temperature of the water in both the top and bottom of the tank. The upper thermostat is the boss and always tells the lower thermostat what to do.
Should both elements be set at the same temperature?
To ensure your electric water heater works as efficiently as possible, you should set both of the thermostats at the same temperature. Note: some smaller electric hot water heaters only have one thermostat.
Is 140 degrees to hot for water heater?
Professionals recommend keeping your water heater set at a temperature between 130 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Any higher, or lower, could actually be dangerous for you and your family. While turning the temperature up higher can result in burns, turning it lower than the recommended setting can also be dangerous.
How do you check a thermostat on a hot water heater?
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Quote from Youtube video: Then note the orientation of the power wires and disconnect them to isolate the thermostat from the circuit. Now touch one lead to the left side terminal on the reset portion of the thermostat.
