Your water heater's temperature setting affects your safety, your comfort, and your energy bill. Most people never touch it — but the factory default may not be ideal for your home.
The recommended setting: 120°F
120°F is the sweet spot for most households. It's hot enough for comfortable showers, dishwashing, and laundry, while low enough to reduce scald risk and cut energy use.
Why not hotter?
Every 10°F above 120 adds to your energy bill and raises scald danger. Water at 140°F can cause a serious burn in seconds — a real concern in homes with young children or elderly residents.
Why not lower?
Setting below 120°F can allow bacteria like Legionella to grow in the tank. 120°F is the balance point recommended by safety and health authorities.
How to adjust it
Gas heaters have a dial near the bottom; electric models have thermostats behind access panels (turn off power first). After adjusting, wait a few hours and test the water at a tap with a thermometer.
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