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Adjusting the Temperature

The information on this web site is supplemental to the printed instructions that came with your water heater. To reduce the risk of property damage, serious injury or death, read and follow all labels on the water heater and the safety instructions in the printed owner's manual.


Step 1: Tools and Supplies

Thermostatic mixing valves
  • Thermostatic mixing valves

Step 2: Install Thermostatic Mixing Valves

<strong>WARNING!  Hot water can cause severe burns instantly, resulting in severe injury or death. Install Thermostatic Mixing Valves at each point-of-use to reduce the risk of scalding.</strong>
  • WARNING! Hot water can cause severe burns instantly, resulting in severe injury or death. Install Thermostatic Mixing Valves at each point-of-use to reduce the risk of scalding.

Step 3: Read the Warnings

Read and follow the scald warning information on the water heater and in the owner's manual.
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  • Read and follow the scald warning information on the water heater and in the owner's manual.

Step 4: Set the Thermostat to "HOT"

Set the thermostat on the water heater to &quot;HOT&quot; which is approximately 120°F degrees.
  • Set the thermostat on the water heater to "HOT" which is approximately 120°F degrees.

Step 5: Set Thermostatic Mixing Valves

You can set the thermostat temperature higher than 120°F if you install thermostatic mixing valves at each point of use and set them to  120°F  or lower.
  • You can set the thermostat temperature higher than 120°F if you install thermostatic mixing valves at each point of use and set them to 120°F or lower.

  • WARNING! Higher temperatures increase the risk of scalding, but even at 120°F, hot water can scald. Install point-of-use Thermostatic Mixing Valves to reduce the risk of scalding.

Step 6: Reduce Usage

If you are running out of hot water too soon, try reducing the amount of hot water you are using. Wash clothes in cold or warm water. Install flow restrictors in shower heads.
  • If you are running out of hot water too soon, try reducing the amount of hot water you are using. Wash clothes in cold or warm water. Install flow restrictors in shower heads.

  • Installing thermostatic mixing valves at each point of use can help increase the amount of hot water your water heater produces by up to 30%.