The Importance of Your Hot Water Cylinder Thermostat: How to Set It and Save Money

Basically, your hot water system’s thermostat controls how hot your water gets.

Most hot water heaters are set at a certain temperature when they’re installed. Hot water heaters tend to be set at 60 degrees Celsius when they’re made.

However, most people do not need their water to be this hot and can still be comfortable with a lowered thermostat.

Why should you lower your thermostat? The answer is incredibly simple: You’ll save money!

Heating your water takes up energy, either from electricity or gas, depending on your specific hot water system, and that energy costs money. If your thermostat is set higher, then it will cost more money to heat up your water to that level.

But, if your thermostat is lowered and your water is set to never exceed a certain lowered threshold, you could see drastic savings over time. Some people have found that they can lower their bills by 4-22%! Just imagine how much money you’ll save after a month, several months or even a year.

Another reason why you should think about changing your hot water cylinder thermostat is because hot water can be seriously dangerous. Too-hot water can scald you, resulting in painful burns. Households with young children or other vulnerable family members may want to lower their thermostats for this reason.

Most people love a steamy, hot shower that they can relax in, almost like they’re enjoying a spa day right in their New Zealand home. So, some may initially wonder, ‘Won’t lowering my thermostat make me uncomfortable?’

When faced with either a comfy hot shower or a tepid awkward shower, most would choose the former! But don’t worry; lowering your thermostat a few degrees won’t ruin your showers. Most people barely notice the change.

The key is to find the perfect balance between comfortably warm and strangely cold. A great recommendation is to set your thermostat to 49 degrees Celsius, which isn’t low enough to be chilly and uncomfortable. You can also alter and test your thermostat to see what you like the most.

Have you decided to lower your hot water cylinder thermostat? Then now’s the time for action! The specific method you’ll need to use will depend on the type and model of your water heater, so you’ll want to look at your water heater to see what type of interface is on it regarding your thermostat.

Basically, you’ll want to follow these basic steps:

Step 1: Test Your Water Temperature. You can test your home’s current temperature by getting a glass, preferably one that’s at room temperature, and filling it with hot water from your tap. Let your hot water run for a minute to ensure it’s the hottest it can be, then fill the glass with the water. Be sure not to burn yourself!

Put a cooking thermometer into the water, preferably completely engulfing its probe, and let it sit for half a minute to a minute. Mark this number down; this is your starting point.

Step 2: Examine Your Water Heater. Go and examine your water heater, finding where the thermostat is and what type of interface it has. This will give you an idea of how you can adjust it yourself. Your water heater may have a dial to turn, or it may have an adjusting screw that requires a screwdriver to turn.

If you have an electric water heater, please turn off the heater’s power before you adjust it. You may also have to unscrew the cap of the hot water cylinder thermostat and remove a layer of foam insulation before you can access the adjusting screw or dial.

Step 3: Adjust Your Water Heater’s Thermostat. Next, it’s time to actually do some adjusting. Properly alter your thermostat using the dial or by using a screwdriver if your water heater has an adjustment screw.

It’s recommended to lower or raise your temperature in 10-degree intervals (or less) to avoid changes that are too significant.

Step 4: Test Your Water Temperature Again In Three Hours. It will take some time for your water heater to catch up with your new hot water cylinder thermostat settings, so wait a few hours before you test your water again. When you do, use the same method described in step 1.

Is your water comfortable but lower? Great! You’ve successfully lowered your thermostat, and you’re ready to start saving money.

Is your water a bit too low for your liking? Or is it still pretty hot, and you think you can go lower? No worries! Repeat the process and readjust.