Regulating an electric water heater is important because it can not only help prevent damaging the unit, but can also help you save money.  Without regulating an electric water heater, it will use more energy to get a hotter temperature.  Also see our water heater section and hot water heaters problems you can fix.

How an Electric Water Heater Works

An electric water heater is set at a desired temperature with the electric water heater’s thermostat.  A thermostat could be a simple component that allows heat in or out of the storage tank, or it could be an entire electrical control system.  These systems generally are to be used for complex home heating systems for water and air.  

When the tank water drops below this desired temperature, it starts to heat the water.  The electric water heater will control the heat flow by switching the burner on and off.   Heat sensors within the thermostat are signaled to the heating element that controls the heat flow.  The most common types of heat sensors are electrical.  They use parts that are mechanical that will move from heat pressure to open or close the connection that will ignite the electrical heating element.  When the thermostat is adjusted, it will change the water temperature.  

How to Adjust the Thermostat

When the electric water heater thermostat is adjusted, the water temperature will change.  It will have a dial read out regulator or a LED control panel with a push button regulator.  New models will have the LED control panel regulator, as they are more accurate.  A dial regulator found in the older models will work; however, they are not as accurate with the temperature.  You can only set an approximate temperature, and it will depend on if the dial is calibrated correctly.   

To set a LED control panel regulator on the desired temperature, simply push up or down until you reach the desired temperature.  You will see an actual number.  With the dial regulator, simply turn it until you reach an approximate temperature.

Best Temperature to Regulate the Electric Water Heater 

There are some differences of opinions as to the exact correct number to set the temperature at; however, it is important to monitor how hot you set it, especially if children are in the house.  It is not recommended that you set your electric water heater temperature above 125 degrees. Children can get third degree burns in a matter of two minutes from an electric hot water heater that is set at 125 degrees.    Water temperatures set at 150 degrees can cause burns in two seconds.   Also, an electric water heater set at this degree will cost more to run.  Experts will say that setting an electric water heater to 110 degrees will work effectively.    However, an electric water heater that is set to 120 degrees is hot, but will not burn your child unless it has run for ten minutes.  Many homeowners prefer this degree.

Regulating your electric water heater at a safe level is important.   Regulate your electric water heater so that people are not burned, and it will stay in this general temperature so that it does not have to run as hard to get to that temperature.

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