At what temperature are most residential water heaters set to operate?

The typical operating temperature for most residential water heaters is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Setting the water heater at this temperature strikes a balance between safety, energy efficiency, and comfort. At 120 degrees, the risk of scalding is significantly reduced—especially for children and the elderly—while still providing adequate hot water for common household uses.

A common guideline is to set water heater temperatures at or below 120 degrees to prevent burns. Temperatures higher than this, such as 130 or 140 degrees Fahrenheit, increase the scalding risk, particularly in a household with young children. On the other hand, a temperature below this might not effectively prevent bacterial growth, particularly in the case of legionella, but setting them above 120 can compromise safety without much added benefit for typical usage.

The selection of 120 degrees Fahrenheit helps maintain a balance between efficiency and safety, making it the most recommended setting for residential water heaters.