If you have the thermostat set too high on your water heater, you might want to adjust the controls. It might seem like a good idea to turn the temperature up on your water heater, but that's not the case. In fact, increasing the temperature setting can actually be bad for you and your water heater. Here are four reasons why you need to turn the temperature setting down on your water heater.

1. Prevent Unnecessary Wear and Tear

If you have your water heater thermostat set too high, the tank may wear out faster than it should. That's because the water heater has to cycle on and off more frequently to keep the water at the appropriate temperature. Unfortunately, each time the water heater cycles on and off, all the heating components fire up. If this cycle happens too often throughout the course of the day, the major components, such as the anode rod and the burner will break down. You can prevent the premature wear and tear by turning the thermostat down a few degrees.

2. Protect Against Serious Burns

If your water heater is set too high, there's an increased risk that someone in your family will suffer serious burns. 140-degree water can cause serious burns with just 6 seconds of exposure to skin, while 130-degree water requires 30 seconds of skin exposure. Unfortunately, most water heaters have a manufacturers default temperature setting of 140 degrees. If you have your water heater set to the default temperature, it's time to lower the setting to about 120 degrees.

3. Save Money on Energy Bills

If you've been looking for ways to lower your monthly energy bill, start with your water heater. The higher the thermostat setting, the more you'll be paying for your monthly energy bills. That's because higher settings require a longer time to heat the water, and more frequent on-cycles to maintain that temperature throughout the day. Not only that but your water heater will be keeping the water hot, even when you don't need it.

4. Reduce Mineral Deposits

If your water heater collects mineral deposits at a rapid rate, the temperature setting might be contributing to the problem, especially if you already have hard water in your home. Extremely hot water speeds up the rate at which mineral deposits accumulate in the tank. Unfortunately, mineral deposits can cause considerable damage to your tank, especially once they break free. You can reduce the accumulation of mineral deposits by lowering the temperature setting on your water heater.

To learn more, contact a company like Denton Gas Co., Inc. today.