Installation Guide

24
TEMPERATURE REGULATION
Water temperature over 125°F (52°C)
can cause servere burns instantly
resulting in severe injury or death.
Children, the elderly, and the
physically or mentally disabled are at
highest risk for scald injury.
Feel water before bathing or
showering.
Temperature limiting valves are
available.
Read instruction manual for safe
temperature setting.
Due to the nature of the typical gas 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.
HOTTER WATER CAN SCALD: Water heaters are intended to
produce hot water. Water heated to a temperature which will
satisfy 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 should be used at the hot water taps used by these people
or at the water heater. Mixing valves are available at plumbing
supply or hardware stores. See Figure 2. Follow manufacturer’s
instructions for installation of the valves. Before changing the factory
setting on the thermostat, see Figure 32. Using the lowest hot water
temperature that meets your needs will also provide the most energy
efficient operation of the water heater.
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.
NOTE: A water temperature range of 120°F-140°F (49°C-60°C) is
recommended by most dishwasher manufacturers.
The thermostat is adjusted to the pilot position when it is shipped
from the factory. Water temperature can be regulated by moving
the temperature dial to the preferred setting. The preferred starting
point is 120°F at the “HOT” setting. Align the knob with the desired
water temperature as shown in Figure 34. There is a hot water scald
potential if the thermostat is set too high.
NOTE:
• If the knob is set to a higher temperature setting than 120°F
(48.9°C), a mixing valve should be installed to limit the temperature
of the water to 120°F (48.9°C) at the fixtures.
• Temperatures shown on the gas control valve/thermostat are
approximates. The actual temperature of the heated water may
vary.
IMPORTANT: Adjusting the thermostat past the 120°F (48.9°C)
mark on the temperature dial will increase the risk of scald injury.
Hot water can produce first degree burns within:
Water
Temperature
°F (°C)
Time for 1st
Degree Burn
(Less Severe Burns)
Time for
Permanent Burns
2nd & 3rd Degree
(Most Severe Burns)
110 (43)
116 (47)
116 (47)
122 (50)
131 (55)
140 (60)
149 (65)
154 (68)
(normal shower temp.)
(pain threshold)
35 minutes
1 minute
5 seconds
2 seconds
1 second
Instantaneous
45 minutes
5 minutes
25 seconds
5 seconds
2 seconds
1 second
(U.S. Government Memorandum, C.P.S.C., Peter L. Armstrong, Sept. 15,1978)
INDEX BAR
155°F
GAS CONTROL KNOB
(OFF-PILOT-ON)
150°F
140°F
130°F
120°F
TEMPERATURE DIAL
TEMPERATURES SHOWN ARE APPROXIMATES AND MAY VARY
PILOT
LIGHTING
LOW
A
B
C
VERY
HOT
FIGURE 32.
Should overheating occur or the gas supply fail to shut off, turn off the
manual gas control valve to the appliance.
NOTE: During low demand periods when hot water is not being
used, a lower thermostat setting will reduce energy losses and may
satisfy your normal hot water needs. If hot water use is expected to
be more than normal, a higher thermostat setting may be required to
meet the increased demand. When leaving your home for extended
periods (vacations, etc.) turn the temperature dial to its lowest setting.
This will maintain the water at low temperatures with minimum energy
losses and prevent the tank from freezing during cold weather.