Is it more energy efficient to keep the hot water heater set at a higher temperature?

I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but I have heard arguments for both sides and now I'm confused. Asked by nmd999 49 months ago Similar questions: energy efficient hot water heater set higher temperature Home > Home Improvement.

Similar questions: energy efficient hot water heater set higher temperature.

No...I had thought that that made sense, too.... Thinking that with hotter water, we'd use more cold water from the tap and just a little hot... Then we had an 'energy audit' done by our electric company. They explained that keeping a tankfull of hot water, at a high setting 24/7 was just a waste of energy. So, they set the temperature down to the mid-range...and I honestly haven't noticed one bit of difference taking a shower, even though I turn both hot and cold faucets on to the max. Even with one shower right after the other, there's always plenty of hot water.

Sources: My experience HELENofTROY's Recommendations Handbook of Energy Audits: Sixth Edition Amazon List Price: $129.95 Used from: $159.14 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 3 reviews) .

With an older water heater: It would take more energy to maintain water at a higher temperature, because of heat loss through the less-insulated-than-modern tank walls. However, if the water heater sees a lot of use, maintaining a higher set point may be beneficial, as the lower the set point, the more hot water it takes to make your shower as hot as you like it. Also, if the water heater is inside the living space in your house, the heat that "escapes" the water heater still contributes to the warmth of your house.My recommendation would be, unless your dishwasher requires a minimum temperature, (don't go below that) you should have your water heater set hot enough that your family doesn't run out of hot water in a typical day.

A higher temperature will allow more heat loss, hence more energy used to keep hot water hot.

A higher temperature will mean a larger differential between the water and the air outside the tank. This will mean a greater heat transfer value, and that is wasted energy. The tank can be insulated to some degree, but a higher temperature will always have a higher heat transfer.

The link below recommends a temperature of 115 degrees F, but my water heater only has Low, Medium, and It is set to low so my kids don’t accidentally burn themselves when my head turns for a microsecond during baths. A lower temperatuer is more energy efficient. Any strategy that uses a high temperature does not compensate for the heat loss above.

I hope this helps. Sources: earth911.org/blog/2007/04/02/water-heati... .

Danger + expense The danger is of severe scalding from dangerously heated water. The expense is in keeping the water at that temperature. There are other dangers: Video Video .

At last A question I can actually answer from experience. We have been having a problem with running out of hot water. The heater is new (about a year old) but one shower is about the best it could do.

Had the plumber in this week for something else and had him check it out. Seems one of the heating elements wasn't working right so the water wasn't getting really hot and you had to use a lot more "hot" than normal to get the right temp mix. He fixed the bad element and, wallah, problem gone.

Moral was that if you keep the temp low, you have to use a lot more of what's in the heater to get the right mix than you do if you keep it high. And when the "hot" water is gone you have to wait for more to warm up.

" "If you have a tankless hot water heater, what has been your experience --positive and negative. Thanks" "If I lower my water heater temp, will that affect my hot water supply? " "Is it possible that a tall profile hot water heater does not keep water as hot as a low profile hot water heater?

My heater turns off before reaching set temperature.

What should the temp of water be from the hot water heater.

If you have a tankless hot water heater, what has been your experience --positive and negative. Thanks.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.