Water heater temperature

According to the Energystar.gov website, about 14% of the energy use in a typical household is from heating water. Reducing your water heater thermostat to 120 ˚F can save energy. The lower temperature can also slow mineral buildup and corrosion in the water heater, which extends its life. The energy savings come from two components: less heat lost from the water heater into the surrounding room, and less energy used to heat the water you use. Energystar says that for most households, the 120 ˚F setting is adequate.

There are a few cautions to keep in mind. Setting the temperature below 120 ˚F could allow growth of legionella bacteria in the water heater. If you have a dishwasher without a built-in booster heater, you may need to keep your water heater thermostat set at 130 ˚F or 140 ˚F for optimum cleaning. Also, people with suppressed immune systems or chronic respiratory disease may want to research potential health effects before determining the right water heater thermostat setting for their home.