TEMPERATURE REGULATION
HOTTER WATER CAN SCALD: Water heaters are intended to produce hot water. Water heated to a temperature which will satisfy space heating, clothes washing, dish washing, and other sanitizing needs can scald and permanently injure you upon contact. Some people are more likely to be permanently injured by hot water than others. These include the elderly, children, the infirm, or physically/mentally disabled. If anyone using hot water in your home fits into one of these groups or if there is a local code or state law requiring a certain temperature water at the hot water tap, then you must take special precautions. In addition to using the lowest possible temperature setting that satisfies your hot water needs, a means such as a mixing valve, should be used at the hot water taps used by these people or at the water heater. Mixing valves are available from your local plumbing contractor. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for installation of the valves. Before changing the factory setting on the thermostat, see Figure 8.
Never allow small children to use a hot water tap or to draw their own bath water. Never leave a child or handicapped person unattended in a bathtub or shower.
It is recommended that lower water temperatures be used to avoid the risk of scalding. It is further recommended, in all cases, that the water temperature thermostat be set for the lowest temperature which satisfies your hot water needs. This will also provide the most energy efficient operation of the water heater. Thermostat(s) are factory set at 120°F (49°C) unless specified differently by state requirements.
KEEPING THE THERMOSTAT SETTING AT 120°F (49°C)
WILL REDUCE THE RISK OF SCALDS.
Figure 8 shows the approximate time-to-burn relationship for normal adult skin.
TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT
To change the temperature setting:
NOTE: It is not necessary to adjust the upper thermostat. However, if it is adjusted above the factory set point (120°F (49°C)) it is recommended that it not be set higher than the lower thermostat setting.
1.Turn off the heater electrical supply. Do not attempt to adjust thermostat with power on.
2.Remove the thermostat access panels and covers from the thermostats. Do not remove the plastic personnel protectors covering the thermostats.
3.Using a flat tip screwdriver, rotate the adjustment knob to the desired temperature setting.
4.Replace the covers and access panels and turn on heater electrical supply.
TEMPERATURE SETTINGS
It is recommended that the dial be set lower whenever possible.
Temperature |
| Time to Produce 2nd & 3rd |
Setting |
| Degree Burns on Adult Skin |
160°F (71°C) |
| About 1/2 second |
150°F (66°C) |
| About |
140°F (60°C) |
| Less than 5 seconds |
130°F (54°C) |
| About 30 seconds |
120°F (49°C) |
| More than 5 minutes |
|
|
|
| FIGURE 8. | |
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