How to adjust water heater temperature rheem

Question

If you live in a New Zealand home that has its own hot water, you undoubtedly have a water heater somewhere on your property. If that water heater happens to be a Rheem hot water cylinder, it means that you have a high-quality and reliable system for your home.

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What Setting Should My Rheem Water Heater Be On?
Why Should I Use A Rheem Water Heater?
Where Can I Buy A Rheem Water Heater For My Home?
The correct temperature range
Adjusting water heater temperature
Gas or electric water heaters
What temperature should a Rheem water heater be set at?

However, managing the settings on fixtures can be tricky for people who are not used to installing or maintaining them. So how do you know what setting your water heater cylinder should be on? In this article, we will let you know!

A Rheem water heating system is a water heater created by the manufacturer Rheem. Water heaters themselves are products that warm up your water through various methods depending on the product itself to supply the rest of your home with pleasant, steamy water.

Here at Hot Water Solutions, we offer New Zealanders a vast array of different hot water products for their homes. Rheem is one of the best water heating brands around, and we are proud to offer some of their excellent commodities.

What Setting Should My Rheem Water Heater Be On?

When it comes to owning a Rheem hot water cylinder or any fixture that heats water and stores it, you should be careful when altering its settings. Because water heaters deal with high temperatures, if someone is careless around a system that is set too high, they could end up with some nasty burns on their skin.

This concern is especially worrying if you happen to live in a home with small, wandering children or playful pets. Young children and animals can be curious and explorative – they might not know what they are touching and may end up with a painful injury.

Do not worry; if you follow instructions, you can minimize the possibility that you or one of your family members will get harmed. A good choice is to ask the technician who installed your system what they think the best setting option would be for you – after all, the one who installed your Rheem hot water cylinder should know all about it! Listen to them and set your system as they recommend.

However, if they are not available, you can also choose to go with the product’s factory setting, which is usually 49 degrees celsius. While you are allowed to set your water heater’s temperature anywhere from around 32.2 degrees Celcius to 65.5 degrees celsius, it is recommended not to set your heat too high.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, or the CPSC, suggests setting your hot water cylinder at no more than 49 degrees celsius. As mentioned, this is the standard factory setting of a Rheem water heater, so chances are you will not need to alter your product’s settings if no one has done so before.

If you set your water heating system’s temperature too high, not only is it a scalding hazard, but the extra heat can also show up on your electric bill. Keep your family safe and your electric bill manageable by always keeping your Rheem hot water cylinder at a reasonable temperature.

Why Should I Use A Rheem Water Heater?

Where Can I Buy A Rheem Water Heater For My Home?

Rheem hot water cylinders are excellent products that will keep you and your family well-supplied with nice hot water. Do you want to purchase one for your home? Look no further than Hot Water Solutions! Like our tagline says, at Hot Water Solutions, all we do is hot water. If you have any further questions or if you want to discuss adding an excellent water heater into your home, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at 0800 497658!

No one likes a cold shower. Even worse is getting scalded when you run the hot water. Properly setting the temperature on your water heater is important not only for your health and safety, but also for saving money on your electricity bill.

Here is how to adjust the temperature on your water heater to save money and your skin.

The correct temperature range

There are a number of reasons your water heater should be set within a specific range of temperatures. If it's set too low, not only will your hot water feel lukewarm, at best, it can also lead to bacterial growth which can cause things like Legionnaires' disease.

This can be prevented by setting the water heater to a temperature where the bacteria Legionella cannot thrive. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) recommends water heaters be set to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) to minimize the growth of Legionella and other microorganisms.

While you might be prone to just crank up the heat, water that is too hot is potentially more dangerous, especially if you have kids around the house. At 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius), it only takes two seconds to suffer third-degree burns. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends setting the water heater at no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) to prevent scalding. Not to mention, a water heater that is set too high can unnecessarily increase your electricity bill.

Of course, every house is different. The further a faucet is from the water heater, the more heat will be lost as the water travels, especially if the pipes aren't insulated. That means you might have to raise the temperature beyond the recommended 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) to compensate.

Use your best judgement for your family and household when setting the temperature. It's smart to stay within the range of 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (49 to 60 degrees Celsius). Make an adjustment, test it out and repeat until you settle on the perfect temperature setting for you home and water heater.

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Adjusting water heater temperature

The interface for setting the temperature on a water heater will vary by type and model. Fortunately, most water heater types are adjusted similarly.

For instance, most newer gas and electric water heaters have a thermostat behind an insulated access panel. Electric water heaters often have two thermostats -- one at the top and another at the bottom of the tank. And most tankless water heaters feature a display with a temperature readout and controls for adjusting the temperature.

Regardless of the water heater type, you should test the water before you make any adjustments. Turn on the water in the bathroom or kitchen sink and let it run until it's fully hot. Then hold a thermometer under the water to get an accurate reading.

Tankless

Adjusting a tankless water heater is a lot like adjusting the thermostat for your air conditioning. Use the digital control panel to adjust the temperature up and down as needed.

Gas or electric water heaters

Some gas water heaters feature a dial near the bottom of the unit that you can simply adjust by turning it -- no tools required. However, most newer tank water heaters (gas or electric) are a little more involved, but it's still easy and should only take a couple of minutes.

Start by turning off power to the water heater at the circuit breaker.
Find the access panel for the thermostat(s) and use a screwdriver to remove the panel.
Peel back the insulation.
Use a flathead screwdriver to adjust the thermostat up or down.
- If your water heater has two thermostats, adjust both the same amount. The top thermostat should be a few degrees higher than the bottom.
Replace the insulation and reinstall the access panel.
Restore power to the water heater.
For gas water heaters, you may need to relight the pilot light.

Once you've made an adjustment, wait at least three hours before testing the water temperature again. You may need to make additional adjustments to get the temperature just right.

If you've raised the temperature and you're still experiencing cold showers, your hot water heater may need to be serviced or even replaced.

Is your home energy efficient? Here are 5 ways to find out.

CNET's Guide to Smart Living is a destination for tips, tricks and guides that make your life smarter.

What temperature should a Rheem water heater be set at?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, or the CPSC, suggests setting your hot water cylinder at no more than 49 degrees celsius. As mentioned, this is the standard factory setting of a Rheem water heater, so chances are you will not need to alter your product's settings if no one has done so before.

adjust water heater temperature rheem