What is the best hot water temperature? Why It Matters

Now, I know most folks don’t spend their afternoons thinking about their water heater. Honestly, unless the water goes cold mid-shower or you get burned washing dishes, you probably ain’t giving it a second thought. But let me tell you — that little dial back there in your utility room? It’s pulling more weight than you think.

What’s the “Right” Temperature Anyway?

So here's the deal. For most homes 'round Denton, Flower Mound, and the rest of our neck of the woods, 120 degrees Fahrenheit is the sweet spot. Not too hot, not too cold — kinda like Goldilocks would’ve picked. Keeps the water warm enough to feel nice, but not so hot that it’ll burn ya or spike your electric bill.

Some folks crank it up thinking hotter is better — but more heat don’t always mean more comfort. It just means more energy and more risk.

Your Water Heater’s Quietly Eating Up Energy

Believe it or not, heating your water eats up a good chunk of your home’s energy. We’re talkin’ about 18% of your whole energy bill, just from your water heater doing its thing day in and day out. That’s why when folks call us at Jensen Plumbing LLC and say their bills look a little... bloated, we ask about their heater temp.

A small turn of the dial could save ya some bucks every month. And in this heat? Who ain’t looking to save a little?

Hot Enough to Be Safe — But Not Dangerous

We’ve seen it more than once. A nice family in Lantana, trying to keep their water hot for laundry and long showers, didn’t realize the setting was up near 140°F. That’s high enough to scald skin — especially little ones or older folks. Not to mention, it builds up minerals faster in the tank, especially with our Texas hard water.

On the flip side, setting it too low? That can let bacteria hang out in your tank, and nobody wants that mess. 120°F is your friend — warm, safe, and efficient.

If You’ve Got Kids or Grandparents at Home…

This part’s important. If you’ve got kiddos or older loved ones living with you, make sure that temp’s not too high. It’s one of those easy fixes that makes a big difference — kinda like putting child locks on cabinets. You hope they never need it, but you’ll be glad it’s there.

A Few Extra Tips While We’re Talkin’ Water Heaters:

Here’s what we tell our neighbors in Argyle and Lewisville when we’re out on service calls:

• Wrap your hot water pipes — Keeps the heat from leakin’ out, especially when temps swing all over the place like they do here.

• Install low-flow showerheads — Less hot water used = lower bills, plain and simple.

• Flush the tank once or twice a year — Especially important in places like Flower Mound where the water's hard. It keeps sediment from gunking up the bottom and shortenin’ the heater’s life.

If we had a nickel for every time someone said, “I didn’t even know my water heater had a temperature setting,” well... we’d have a whole coffee can full by now.

Look — it might not be the flashiest home improvement, but getting that water heater set just right? That’s the kind of behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps your home runnin’ smooth.

And if you ever need a licensed plumber near you — whether it’s tankless water heater help in Denton, drain cleaning in Flower Mound, or you’ve got a real emergancy on your hands out in Lewisville — we’re just a call away.

Give us a shout at 214-287-0445 or holler at us through the site.

Jensen Plumbing LLCPlumbing Done Right. Every Time.