You may enjoy a long, hot shower, but you can probably survive with that water temperature just a few degrees cooler, right? Turning down the temperature on your hot water heater is a quick and easy way to reduce your heating costs all year long. Water heater manufacturers often set the temperature to 140°F, which is far hotter than the average household needs. By turning your hot water heater thermostat down to 120°F, you could save up to 10 percent on your annual energy bill.
That’s because a too-hot water heater can waste energy in a major way:
Check the instructions for your water heater to learn how to adjust the temperature. Call a handy friend or neighbor if you don’t feel confident making the adjustment yourself.