How to Adjust the Temperature on Your Water Heater

Written on: November 10, 2025

Finding the Sweet Spot for Comfort, Safety, and Savings

Heating water is one of those behind-the-scenes tasks your home does every single day—and it can quietly account for up to 30% of your energy costs. That’s a big slice of your utility bill! Whether it’s for hot showers, dishwashing, or laundry, your water heater is working hard around the clock.

Sure, you could take shorter showers or switch to cold-water laundry cycles, but there’s a simpler way to save energy without giving up any comfort: Adjust your water heater’s temperature.

A small tweak to your settings can make a big difference. The right temperature helps you save money, prevents scalding, and keeps your water hot enough to stop bacteria from growing. Best of all, it’s a quick fix you can do yourself, whether you have a traditional tank-style heater or a newer tankless model.

The Ideal Water Heater Temperature

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your water heater to 120°F. That’s warm enough to meet most household needs while helping prevent scalding injuries and reducing mineral buildup and energy use. Pro tip: Use a thermometer to check water temp at the tap.

The typical factory setting for water heaters is 140°F, which increases energy consumption and the risk of burns—especially for children or older adults. That 20-degree difference can make a huge difference in your energy use for water heating.

If someone in your home has a suppressed immune system, or if your home has an older-style heater prone to bacterial growth, you might want to keep it closer to 130°F.

How to Adjust the Temperature

It’s easy to adjust the temperature on any water heater, but the process is slightly different depending on whether you have a tank-type or tankless water heater, and whether it’s powered by gas or electricity. Always consult your owner’s manual for the specific instructions for your model.

Tank-Style Water Heaters

Here’s how to adjust the temperature of your gas-fueled tank-type water heater:

1. Locate the temperature dial. It’s usually on the gas control valve near the bottom of the tank.
2. Use a flathead screwdriver to turn the dial to your desired setting—often labeled as “Low,” “Hot,” or “Very Hot.”
3. Wait a few hours and test the water temperature at a faucet.

Here’s how to adjust the temperature of your electric tank-type water heater:

1. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker before starting.
2. Remove the upper and lower access panels using a screwdriver.
3. Inside, you’ll find two thermostat dials. Adjust both to the same temperature using a flathead screwdriver.
4. Replace the panels and restore power.
5. Wait a few hours and test the water.

Tankless Water Heaters

Most tankless models have a digital control panel, making temperature adjustments even easier, regardless of whether they are fueled by gas or electricity.

1. Locate the digital display—often found on the unit or via a remote control panel.
2. Press the up or down arrows to set the temperature, usually in 1-degree increments.
3. For everyday use, set it to 120°F. If you need hotter water for certain tasks, like sanitizing, you can temporarily increase it.

Tankless systems are known for their precision, so once you set the temperature, you’ll get consistent hot water at that level—no mixing needed.

Water Heater Efficiency

Adjusting your water heater’s temperature is a small step that can lead to big savings, greater comfort, and improved safety in your home.

If you want to take that comfort-meets-efficiency equation a notch higher, talk to the experts at Marandola. We can show you how a high-efficiency tankless water heater can cost less to run than an old-fashioned tank-type system. We’ll help you choose the best option for your needs, install it correctly, and provide maintenance and repairs. Enjoy energy efficiency and all the hot water you need with a new tankless water heater!

Contact us today to get started.