Learning how to turn up a hot water heater safely protects your family from dangerous burns while giving you the hot water you need. Many homeowners don’t realize that adjusting their water heater temperature requires specific safety steps to avoid serious injuries or damage to their system.
If you’re wondering how to turn up a hot water heater, you’re not alone. Most water heaters come set to 140°F from the factory, but sometimes you need hotter water for cleaning dishes, washing clothes, or killing bacteria. However, the U.S. Department of Energy warns that water above 120°F can cause serious burns in just seconds.
This guide shows you exactly how to turn up a hot water heater using safe methods that protect both you and your equipment. We’ll cover step-by-step instructions for both gas and electric units, important safety warnings, and when to call professional water heater repair services instead of doing it yourself.
Why You Might Need to Know How to Turn Up a Hot Water Heater
Before learning how to turn up a hot water heater, understand when higher temperatures make sense. Some valid reasons include having an older dishwasher without a built-in heater, dealing with bacteria problems in your water supply, or living in a large home where hot water cools down traveling through long pipes.
However, most homes work perfectly fine with water heated to 120°F. According to Johns Hopkins research, water at 140°F causes serious burns in just 3 seconds, while 120°F water takes about 10 minutes to cause the same damage.
If you’re having issues with your current water temperature, the problem might not require learning how to turn up a hot water heater. Sometimes the issue is a faulty heating element, sediment buildup, or thermostat problems that need professional water heater maintenance.
Critical Safety Rules Before You Turn Up a Hot Water Heater
Safety comes first when learning how to turn up a hot water heater. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that about 3,800 injuries and 34 deaths happen each year from scalding water accidents. Most victims are elderly people and children under 5 years old.
Never attempt to turn up a hot water heater without shutting off the power or gas first. Electric water heaters use high voltage that can kill you instantly if you touch the wrong parts. Gas water heaters involve combustible fuel lines that can cause explosions if handled incorrectly.
Tell everyone in your house before you start the process. When you turn up a hot water heater, the new temperature won’t be immediate, but once it reaches the higher setting, someone could get badly burned if they don’t expect hotter water.
Consider installing anti-scald devices at your faucets and shower heads even if you know how to turn up a hot water heater safely. These mixing valves automatically blend hot and cold water to deliver safe temperatures, giving you the best of both worlds.
How to Turn Up a Hot Water Heater: Electric Units
Electric water heaters require extra caution when you turn up a hot water heater because they use high-voltage electricity. Most electric units have two thermostats – one for the upper heating element and one for the lower element. Both need adjustment for the system to work properly.
Start by turning off the circuit breaker that controls your water heater. Don’t just flip the switch on the unit itself – go to your main electrical panel and switch off the breaker completely. Use a non-contact voltage tester to confirm no electricity flows to the unit before proceeding.
Locate the access panels on your electric water heater. Most units have two panels – one near the top of the tank and one near the bottom. These panels are typically held in place with screws that you’ll need to remove using a screwdriver.
Carefully pull back the insulation covering the thermostat. Don’t tear or damage this insulation because it helps your water heater run efficiently. You should see a dial or adjustment screw behind the insulation.
When you turn up a hot water heater thermostat, adjust both the upper and lower thermostats to the same temperature setting. Use a small flathead screwdriver to turn the adjustment dial. Turn counterclockwise to increase temperature or clockwise to decrease it.
Replace the insulation and access panels exactly as you found them. Turn the circuit breaker back on and wait at least 3 hours before testing the water temperature. The heating elements need time to bring the entire tank up to the new temperature setting.
How to Turn Up a Hot Water Heater: Gas Units
Gas water heaters are generally simpler to adjust when you need to turn up a hot water heater, but they still require safety precautions. The thermostat on gas units is usually located near the bottom of the tank on the gas control valve.
Before you turn up a hot water heater that runs on gas, make sure you know how to relight the pilot light safely. Some newer units have electronic ignition, but older models require manual lighting. Check your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
Turn the gas control valve to the “off” position and wait at least 5 minutes. This allows any accumulated gas to clear from the combustion chamber. Never attempt to turn up a hot water heater while the gas is flowing.
Locate the temperature dial on the gas control valve. This dial usually has markings like “Hot,” “Medium,” and “Warm,” or actual temperature numbers. Some units have unmarked dials that you adjust by turning clockwise or counterclockwise.
Turn the dial to increase the temperature setting. Remember that when you turn up a hot water heater, small adjustments make big differences in the final water temperature. Start with a modest increase and test the results.
Turn the gas control valve back to “on” and relight the pilot light according to your unit’s instructions. Wait several hours for the water to reach the new temperature before testing at your faucets.
Testing Your New Temperature Setting
After you turn up a hot water heater, proper testing ensures the adjustment worked correctly and safely. Don’t assume the thermostat dial shows the accurate water temperature – many thermostats are off by 10-20 degrees.
Wait at least 3 hours after making your adjustment before testing. When you turn up a hot water heater, the heating elements or burner need time to warm all the water in the tank. Testing too early gives inaccurate readings.
Test the water temperature at the faucet farthest from your water heater. This gives you the most accurate reading because the water travels the longest distance and cools down the most. Run hot water for 2-3 minutes to clear cooler water from the pipes.
Use a reliable thermometer to measure the actual water temperature. A candy thermometer or digital instant-read thermometer works well. Hold the thermometer under the running water stream and wait for a stable reading.
If the temperature isn’t right after you turn up a hot water heater, wait another few hours and repeat the adjustment process. Make small changes rather than big jumps in temperature. This prevents overshooting your target and creating dangerous scalding conditions.
When Not to Turn Up a Hot Water Heater Yourself
Some situations require professional help instead of trying to turn up a hot water heater yourself. If your water heater is very old, has visible rust or corrosion, or makes strange noises, don’t attempt adjustments without professional guidance.
Call Solid Plumbing & Drains if you’re uncomfortable working with electricity or gas connections. Water heater accidents can cause serious injuries, expensive property damage, or even death in extreme cases.
If you’ve followed the steps to turn up a hot water heater but the water temperature doesn’t change, the problem likely involves faulty heating elements, a broken thermostat, or sediment buildup. These issues require professional diagnosis and repair.
Some newer water heaters have electronic controls or safety lockouts that prevent homeowner adjustments. Don’t try to bypass these safety features when you want to turn up a hot water heater – they exist to protect you and your home.
Understanding the Risks When You Turn Up a Hot Water Heater
Higher water temperatures create serious safety risks that many homeowners underestimate. When you turn up a hot water heater above 120°F, you dramatically increase the chance of accidental burns, especially for children, elderly family members, and people with diabetes or circulation problems.
Water at 130°F causes third-degree burns in just 30 seconds of contact. At 140°F, serious burns happen in only 6 seconds. These aren’t minor injuries – they often require hospitalization and can leave permanent scars or disabilities.
Higher temperatures also increase energy costs and wear out your water heater faster. When you turn up a hot water heater, the system works harder to maintain the higher temperature, especially during standby periods when no one is using hot water.
Mineral deposits build up faster in very hot water, clogging pipes and reducing water heater efficiency over time. This means you might need water heater replacement sooner than expected.
Alternative Solutions to Turning Up Your Water Heater
Before you decide to turn up a hot water heater, consider other solutions that might solve your hot water problems. Installing a larger water heater tank gives you more hot water capacity without dangerous temperature increases.
Point-of-use water heaters work great for distant bathrooms or kitchens. These small units heat water right where you need it, eliminating the heat loss that happens when hot water travels through long pipes.
Insulating your hot water pipes helps maintain temperature during transport. This simple upgrade often eliminates the need to turn up a hot water heater because less heat gets lost along the way.
Consider enrolling in the Solid Care maintenance plan to keep your water heater running efficiently. Regular maintenance prevents many problems that make homeowners think they need to turn up their water heater temperature.
Professional Water Heater Services in San Diego County
Solid Plumbing & Drains understands that learning how to turn up a hot water heater safely isn’t always straightforward. Our licensed technicians have the tools and experience to make temperature adjustments safely while protecting your family and property.
We serve all of San Diego County with fast, reliable water heater services. Whether you need a simple thermostat adjustment or complete water heater replacement, our team provides transparent pricing and quality workmanship on every job.
Don’t risk your safety trying to turn up a hot water heater without proper knowledge and tools. Our experienced plumbers can evaluate your specific situation, make safe adjustments, and recommend the best solutions for your hot water needs.
Call 858-331-1258 today for professional water heater services throughout San Diego County. We’re here to help you get the hot water you need while keeping your family safe from scalding injuries.
Conclusion: Safety First When You Turn Up a Hot Water Heater
Knowing how to turn up a hot water heater safely protects your family while meeting your hot water needs. Remember that small temperature increases can create big safety risks, especially for children and elderly family members.
Always shut off power or gas before making adjustments, test water temperature carefully after changes, and consider professional help for complex issues. When done correctly, adjusting your water heater temperature improves your home’s comfort and functionality.
If you’re unsure about any step in the process or encounter problems when you try to turn up a hot water heater, contact Solid Plumbing & Drains for expert assistance. Your safety is worth more than the cost of professional service.
