TEMPERATURE REGULATION
Due to the nature of the typical water heater, the water temperature in certain situations may vary up to 30°F (16.7 °C) higher or lower at the point of use such as, bathtubs, showers, sink, etc.
Any water heater’s intended purpose is to heat water. Hot water is needed for cleansing, cleaning, and sanitizing (bodies, dishes, clothing). Untempered hot water can present a scald hazard. Depending on the time element, and the people involved (adults, children, elderly, infirm, etc.) scalding may occur at different temperatures.
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 handicapped. 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, shall 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, read the “Temperature Regulation” section in this manual.
THIS WATER HEATER IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ADJUSTABLE THERMOSTAT TO CONTROL WATER TEMPERATURE. HOT WATER TEMPERATURES DESIRED FOR AUTOMATIC DISHWASHER AND LAUNDRY USE CAN CAUSE SCALDS RESULTING IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR DEATH. THETEMPERATUREAT WHICH INJURYOCCURS VARIES WITHTHE PERSON’SAGE AND THE TIME OF THE EXPOSURE. THE SLOWER RESPONSE TIME OF CHILDREN,AGED OR DISABLED PERSONS INCREASES THE HAZARDS TO THEM. NEVER ALLOW SMALL CHILDREN TO USE A HOT WATER TAP, OR TO DRAW THEIR OWN BATH WATER. NEVER LEAVE A CHILD OR DISABLED PERSON UNATTENDED INABATHTUB 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 (See Figure 3) 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 SETTINGAT 120°F WILLREDUCE THE RISK OF SCALDS.
Figure 7 shows the approximate time-to-burn relationship for normal adult skin. The thermostats on your water heater have a linear relationship between degrees of angular rotation and the corresponding change in temperature. Thus rotating the temperature adjustment indicator 30 angular degrees will result in a 10 degree Fahrenheit change in water temperature.
TEMPERATUREADJUSTMENT
To change the temperature 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 |
| Time to Produce 2nd & 3rd |
Settings |
| 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 |
80°F (27°C) |
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
|
|
|
| FIGURE7. | |
11
