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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/water-heater-temp

What temperature should most home water heaters be set to?

Set your water heater to 120°F to prevent scalds and slow mineral buildup.

  1. 120°F ✔
  2. 140°F
  3. 100°F

Why: Water at 140°F can cause a bad burn in about six seconds, but at 120°F it takes about five minutes. Some water heaters come set to 140°F from the factory. Turning it down to 120°F also slows mineral buildup in the tank and pipes.

Huh, didn't know that: Turning it down to 120°F also slows mineral buildup in the tank and pipes.

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RIP boiled water. You will be mist.
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Sources

  1. CPSC: Tap Water Scalds (Document 5098) https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/5098-Tap-Water-Scalds.pdf
  2. U.S. Department of Energy: Lower Water Heating Temperature https://www.energy.gov/node/3520390
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