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Most people can can easily turn down the temperature of their water heater. It is safer and more efficient. Most of the time, after you get a new water heater, you never look at it again until you notice water running down the driveway years later.
Turning down the temperature will accomplish several things. First it will lower the risk of scalding, which is a concern with small children in the house. Not only is there a risk of turning on hot water at a faucet, but also when they see a hose faucet attached to the base of the water heater. I've heard stories of kids getting scalded when they open the water heater's hose faucet.
You will also save energy by lowering the temperature. The lower the temp, the less the unit has to run to keep the water heated at the higher temperature.
High temperatures will also cause the tank to fail. High temperatures cause a more rapid accumulation of sediment and they speed up chemical reactions. The rusting reaction is accelerated by heat. Also, when water is heated, it expands slightly which could cause the glass lining to crack and flake.
The answer is to simply turn down the thermostat. It is the big dial on the front of water heater near the bottom. You will have settings from "vacation" to "high". Start at the setting just above "vacation" (usually labeled "A") and slowly raise it until it the temperature is sufficient for your needs.
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