TECHNICAL BULLETIN

• Temperature range on residential gas water heater is from 80° F ±10° to 160° F ±10°.
• The high limit opens at 195° F ± 10° and is a single use type.
• The water heater temperature adjusting dial was factory set at the lowest temperature; all the way clockwise to the mechanical stop, unless specified differently by state regulations. Turning the dial counter clockwise will increase the temperature and clockwise will reduce the temperature. 

The water heater is equipped with an adjustable thermostat to control water temperature. Hot water at temperatures desired for automatic dishwasher and laundry use can cause scalds resulting in serious personal injury and/or death. The temperature at which injury can occur varies with the person’s age and time of exposure. The slower response time of 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 in a bathtub or shower.

The following table lists the approximate water temperatures produced by various dial settings. Short repeated heating cycles caused by small hot water uses can cause temperatures at the point of use to exceed the thermostat setting by up to 30° F. If you experience this type of use, you should consider using lower temperature settings to reduce scald hazards. Listed below is time-to-burn relationship for normal adult skin.

Temperature Setting Vs. Approximate Temperature Vs. Time to produce a 2nd & 3rd degree burn to adult skin:

• VERY HOT - 160° F - About 1/2 second
• C - 150° F - About 1-1/2 seconds
• B - 140° F - Less than 5 seconds
• A - 130° F - About 30 seconds
• HOT - 120° F - More than 5 minutes
• LOW - 80° F - No hazard

It is recommended that the lower water temperature be used to avoid the risk of scalding. It is also recommended in all cases that the water temperature dial 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.

Valves for reducing point-of-use temperature by mixing cold and hot water are available. Also available are inexpensive devices that attach to faucets to limit hot water temperatures. Contact a licensed plumber or your local plumbing authority to obtain more information on these valves and devices.