Rheem Water Heaters are efficient appliances used to heat your household water. Often the water heater's thermostats come preset to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to comply with safety regulations. If you find that your water is too hot, you might need to turn down the temperature on your Rheem water heater. Gas and electric water heaters have thermostats to control the heating functionality of the unit. A simple turn of a dial is all that is necessary to turn down the temperature of your water heater.
Gas Water Heater
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Step 1
Locate the gas control valve on the lower front of the water heater. The gas control valve has a red button on top and three lines connecting at the bottom. The thermostat dial is on the face of the gas control valve.
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Step 2
Find the large indicator notch on the dial. There are small temperature indicator notches on the outer edge of the dial. To the right of the largest indicator notch is a notch that is slightly smaller. This indicator representsa water temperature of approximately 120 degrees.
Step 3
Turn the temperature dial to an initial setting of 120 degrees by lining the indicator mark to the top center. Each mark to the left indicates a 10 degree increase in temperature. Each mark to the right indicates a 10 degree drop in temperature. Turn the temperature knob in single increments and test the water temperature.
Electric Water Heater
Step 1
Turn off the circuit breaker to the hot water heater. Remove the screws securing the two access panel doors on the front of the water heater with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Step 2
Locate the thermostat below the heating elements.
Step 3
Turn the thermostat knob counterclockwise with a flat-head screwdriver to the desired temperature range.
Step 4
Place the access panel doors back onto the hot water tank and turn on the circuit breaker.