Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 15
Replace the junc on box cover
and secure with the screws
provided.
WARNING! Be sure cover is secured
to reduce the risk of
fi
re and electric
shock.
Step 10:
Adjus ng the
Temperature
With the installa on steps completed,
you may adjust the water heater’s tem-
perature se ng if desired.
1
Set the thermostat(s) to
desired temperature. The
thermostat(s) on this water
heater have been factory set to
approximately 120°F to reduce the risk
of scald injury. You may wish to set a
higher temperature to provide hot
water for automa c dishwashers or
laundry machines, to provide more hot
water capacity, and to reduce bacterial
growth. Higher tank temperatures
(140° F) kill bacteria that cause a
condi on known as “smelly water” and
can reduce the levels of bacteria that
cause water-borne diseases.
WARNING! Higher temperatures in-
crease the risk of scalding, but even at
120°F, hot water can scald (
page 4
).
If you increase the water heater’s tem-
perature se ng, install Thermosta c
Mixing Valve(s) at each point-of-use to
reduce the risk of scalding.
Figure 20 -
Adjust Thermostat Mixing
Valves at each point-of-use 120°F or
lower.
To adjust the water heater’s thermo-
stat:
• Be sure the electrical power to the
water heater is turned OFF at the
circuit breaker panel (or remove the
circuit’s fuses).
WARNING! Working near an ener-
gized circuit can result in severe injury
or death from electrical shock. Check
wires with a circuit tester to make sure
power is o
ff
.
• Remove the upper and lower access
panels and fold away the insulation.
• Turn the water temperature dial
clockwise ( >>) to increase the tem-
perature, or counter clockwise ( << )
to decrease the temperature. Adjust
both thermostats to the same tem-
perature setting. To avoid a shortage
of usable hot water, do not adjust
the upper thermostat to a tempera-
ture setting that is higher than the
lower thermostat’s temperature
setting.
NOTE:
Most models have two thermo-
stats, but some models may only have
one. If your water heater has only one
thermostat, it is located behind the
lower access panel.
• Fold the insulation back in place and
replace the access panels.
WARNING! Be sure panels are
secured to reduce the risk of
fi
re and
electric shock.
2
Turn the electric power back
on.
3
Wait for the water to heat up.
It may take several hours for a
tank of cold water to heat up.
If you have no hot water a er two
hours, refer to “TROUBLESHOOTING”
Section on page 17.
WARNING! If you have increased
the temperature se ng and the
Thermosta c Mixing Valves are not
set properly (or not installed) you
could scald yourself while checking the
temperature.
4
Check water temperature at
several points of use in your
home (for example, bathtub
faucet, shower, or lavatory sink) and
adjust the Thermosta c Mixing Valves
as needed. If you aren’t sure how to
adjust the Thermosta c Mixing Valve
se ngs, or aren’t sure if you have
Thermosta c Mixing Valves, contact a
quali
fi
ed person.
7
INS
TALLA
TION
