Are you facing troubles with your water heater not heating the water as desired? In addition, are you avoiding taking a shower in winters because the water heater in your washroom is not warming the water enough? Well, it is time to check the thermostat of your water heater.

What is a Water Heater?

A water heater is an electric appliance used for domestic use. The purpose of this heater is to heat the water stored in a tank. In other words, it heats the water using gas or electricity with the help of a unit placed under the tank. This instrument is useful in warming the water coming into homes for a variety of domestic purposes. Since the water that comes into a house travels through a system of pre-fitted pipes, it is usually cool if not cold. Therefore, you have to warm this water before you take a bath or do different household chores such as dishwashing or mopping the floor. In simple terms, a water heater heats the water.

  • Water heaters are tall cylindrical objects. They are fitted on walls in a bathroom or in the kitchen at homes. In addition, they are very ingeniously designed to provide hot water.
  • The basic composition of a water heater comprises a tank that stores water, a thermostat that controls the temperature, and a heating element below the water tank. In addition, it has a valve to operate the flow of water in and out of the tank.
  • Water Heater is an appliance used for heating water. Water at home comes through a maze of pipes and therefore it is cool and cold.
  • You require to heat the water for various domestic chores. You need warm water for bathing and dishwashing, especially in winter months.
  • Therefore, the water heater helps convert cold water to hot water. Water storage happens in the water tank of the water heater.
  • In addition, there is a heating element below the water tank. Finally, there is a thermostat to control the temperature of the heating element.

What is a Thermostat?

The thermostat controls the temperature inside the water heater. In other words, it heats as per the requirement of use. You can adjust the temperature of the water manually. For instance, the quantity of hot water required for washing utensils will be different from the amount of hot water needed for bathing. The thermostat fitted in the water heater ensures the water is heated at the right temperature. In addition, it helps in saving power as well.

Each heater has 2 thermostats fitted in it. One is at the top and the other at the bottom. They work independently and are there for different purposes. Thermostats control the temperature required to heat the water.

  • The thermostat controls the temperature in the water tank.
  • A thermostat heats the water as per requirement.
  • It operates manually.
  • It also saves power energy.
  • The water has 2 thermostats, one at the top and one at the bottom.
  • A thermostat controls the temperature and heats the water rightly.

How to Test Water Heater Thermostat?

In case your water heater is not heating the water to the desired temperature, then you need to first carry out checks on the 2 thermostats attached to it. To begin with, switch off the power supply to protect yourself from any electric shocks. Then gradually remove the thermostat panels fitted at the top and the bottom of the water tank. Finally, take readings with the help of a voltmeter after switching on the power supply. If there is an issue with the readings, then you definitely need to either repair or replace the thermostats.

  • In case the water heater is not giving the desired result, the obvious check to do is on the thermostat.
  • Switch off the power supply to protect you from electric shocks. Test the thermostat with the help of a voltmeter.
  • If the readings are fine, install the thermostat back or else replace them with new ones.

How to Test Thermostat with Multimeter?

Firstly and most importantly, check for the power supply. The electric current must be flowing into the thermostat. In addition, it should have a voltage of 240 volts. In other words, the voltage supply should be the right amount so as not to overheat the appliance. Then, disable the thermostat by moving the dial to the least reading.

Use the multimeter to read the voltage in each thermostat. In other words, the multi-meter will help you detect the power supply. If there is no power supply, then the thermostat needs replacement.

  • Multimeter checks the supply of power supply.
  • In addition, it will detect the right voltage coming into the water heater.
  • Place the multimeter on the thermostats.
  • First on the top thermostat and then on the lower thermostat.

How do I Check My Water Heater Element?

Follow the easy step guide to check if the water heater you are using is working effectively. In other words, there are some ‘Do it Yourself’ Standard Operating Procedures that if followed allow you to test the water heater installed in your home. Firstly, snap the power supply from the electric breaker. Then remove the metal plate that covers the thermostat of the water heater. In addition, test the power with a non-contact voltage detector. Finally, if the heating elements are giving out the correct voltage then your heater is working fine. If incorrect voltage is being supplied to the water heater then the heating element must be replaced.

  • You can easily check the water heater installed in your home. Turn off the power breaker.
  • Follow it up with removing the metal plates that cover the thermostats.
  • Switch on the power supply and check with a voltage meter.
  • The voltage meter will give the correct reading if the heating elements are working or not.

What is a Water Heater Element Voltage Test?

The water heater voltage test is done to check if the power supplied to the heater is at the correct voltage. The most common way to do this test is to use a voltage meter. The water supplied to the water heater should be at the right voltage. The correct voltage required for a water heater is between 180 and 240 volts. Therefore any discrepancy in its flow can damage the water heater. For instance, if the voltage supply is less than 180 degrees Celsius then the water heating element may not work effectively. Similarly, if the voltage is more than 240 degree then there is a likelihood of the heater getting damaged.

  • Water heater requires a voltage supply between 180 and 240 degrees Celsius.
  • Voltage less than 180 degrees will make the heating element ineffective.
  • Similarly, the voltage supply of more than 240 degrees can damage the water heater.

Finally, Some Tips on how to Test Water Heater Thermostat

A water heater’s longevity and effectiveness demand regular checks. For instance, it works most effectively when the right voltage supply takes place. For instance, a high voltage can damage the heater, just as low voltage can make it useless. In addition, like any other electric appliance that is dependent on a lot of external forces like a consistent power supply, a water heater also depends on the regular power supply with the right voltage to work effectively.

  1. Regularly check the voltage supply into the water heater.
  2. Switch off the power from the mains before starting the checks.
  3. Your hands or any tool used should not be wet or have any traces of moisture.
  4. Switch on the power supply to the water heater only after you are ready to test the voltage on the thermostat.
  5. The readings on the voltage meter should be between 180 to 240 degrees Celsius.
  6. Any power supply above 240 degrees can damage the water heater.
  7. Therefore, do not switch on the water heater until the voltage becomes regular.
  8. Finally, always better to replace a faulty component that trying to repair it.

How do I know if my water heater thermostat is bad?

How do I test my water heater thermostat with a multimeter?

Use the screwdriver to set the lower thermostat to the highest setting. Touch one probe of the multimeter to each terminal on the lower thermostat. The lower thermostat has only two terminals. The reading on the multimeter should be zero.

How do I test my water thermostat?

How do you check an electric water heater thermostat?

Make sure that the power is off. Turn the temperature to its highest setting on the upper element. This insures that the thermostat will call for heat. You want to use the water heater tester to check terminals #1 and #2 on the upper element (this will be the lower set of #1 and #2 terminals).

How do I reset my water heater thermostat?

Somewhere on your electric water heater, you’ll find a reset button. It’s usually red and often located near the thermostat. It may also be hidden behind a removable metal panel on the unit—and then behind some insulation. Once you find the button, push and release it.

Where is the thermostat in a water heater?

Is 140 too hot for water heater?

Professionals recommend keeping your water heater set at a temperature between 130 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Any higher, or lower, could actually be dangerous for you and your family. While turning the temperature up higher can result in burns, turning it lower than the recommended setting can also be dangerous.

Do you have to drain a hot water heater to change the thermostat?

Always disconnect the power or shut off the breaker before doing any work on a water heater. To change thermostats, you will need to remove the access panel and safety cover (do this for both upper and lower access panels on dual element units).

Does my hot water tank have a thermostat?

Thermostats are usually installed about one third of the way up the hot water cylinder. They measure the temperature of the water inside and if this falls below the required temperature (usually 60-65°C), the boiler will come on. A domestic hot water cylinder thermostat should be set at 60-65ºC.

What should my hot water tank thermostat be set at?

The short answer: 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the preset thermostat temperature in most new water heaters, and it’s the recommended setting of the U.S. Department of Energy.

How does thermostat on hot water heater work?

The thermostat is a thermistor that responds to heat by producing a small electric current. The current increases when water temperature increases, and drops when temperature drops. Changes in the electric current cause gas control to turn ON and OFF. When gas control turns ON, it releases gas to burner.

How do you adjust the thermostat on a hot water heater?

Is 150 degrees too hot for water heater?

The recommended setting for household water heaters is not 150 degrees, but slightly less _ 140 degrees. Water temperatures higher than 140 degrees can burn the skin and are particularly dangerous for young children and the elderly. People with poor circulation can scald themselves without knowing it.

Does turning up water heater make hot water last longer?

Turning up the heat at the water heater causes hotter water to go to the hot tap. If you desire the same temperature, this makes you use more of the cold tap. Therefore, you’re using a smaller percentage of hot water for the same total shower flow. This makes the perceived hot water in your tank last longer.

What is the maximum temperature for a hot water heater?

You see, back in 1988, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommended that water heater manufacturers preset the maximum temperature at 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent burns.

How hot is too hot for water heater?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends setting the water heater at no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) to prevent scalding. Not to mention, a water heater that is set too high can unnecessarily increase your electricity bill.

What is a safe temperature for water heater?

So, what is the best temperature range for your water heater? The EPA recommends 120 degrees because it’s hot enough to keep diseases at bay, it’s not hot enough to cause scalding, it will supply enough hot water for most small families and is relatively energy-efficient.

How do you eliminate bacteria in a hot water heater?

Up the thermostat setting as you chlorinate, or while the chlorine is going into the water heater you place a UV-C sanitizer light on the water supply. They cost in the upper $400 range and will kill 99.9 percent of the bacteria that passes it.