Richmond Water Heater Temperature Settings

The Short Answer: Richmond’s manuals recommend 120°F as the starting point. On the common gas control with a STATUS light, the HOT mark is about 125°F, A about 130°F, B about 140°F and C about 150°F. Electric tanks ship at 120°F with the thermostats behind access panels. Richmond tankless models also default to 120°F and need an extra unlock step to go higher.

Gas tanks with a STATUS light

Richmond Essential and Encore atmospheric tanks with an electronic gas control have one knob that works as both the gas control and the thermostat. Manual AP16801 (opens in a new tab) shows the approximate water temperature for each mark:

The manual says these heaters leave the factory at the lowest setting, so a new installation may need the knob turned up. Turn the knob to the mark you want, then wait through a full heating cycle and check the temperature at a tap.

Gas tanks with a separate dial and knob

Some Richmond Essential atmospheric tanks, such as the side-connection models, have a mechanical control: a gas knob marked OFF, PILOT and ON, plus a separate temperature dial. In manual AP22543 (opens in a new tab), the ▲ mark is about 120°F and the A mark about 130°F, and each mark above or below changes the temperature by about 10°F. The dial’s lowest position is PILOT LIGHTING, used when lighting the pilot or shutting the heater off, not as a temperature setting.

Electric tanks

Richmond electric tanks are set to 120°F at the factory. The thermostats sit behind the jacket access panels, under insulation, next to live electrical terminals. Richmond’s electric manual (opens in a new tab) describes adjusting them with the power off and a small screwdriver. Because that means opening covers beside wiring, we recommend having an electrician or plumber make the change.

On Essential Plus electric models, the AP22964 manual (opens in a new tab) suggests 125–130°F on the upper thermostat and 120°F on the lower one for the best delivery of hot water. If an electric heater suddenly stops heating, the cause is rarely the setting. See Ruud and Richmond water heater troubleshooting and water heater element not working.

Tankless models

You set the temperature on the remote with the UP and DOWN buttons.

• Essential Plus RMTG (non-condensing): the spec sheet (opens in a new tab) gives a range of 100–140°F with a factory setting of 120°F. The AP22009 manual (opens in a new tab)’s temperature chart lists 100–120°F in 2°F steps, then 125, 130 and 140°F.
• Encore RMTGH (condensing): manual AP21820 (opens in a new tab) says the setting can’t go above 120°F by default.
• Encore S and SR: factory set at 120°F with a 100–120°F operating range. Manual AP22745 (opens in a new tab) says 85°F to 140°F can be reached with the control, but only qualified service personnel should make that adjustment.

On RMTG and RMTGH models, settings above 120°F need an unlock sequence described in the manual. On RMTG it starts with closing the gas and water valves to the heater. If you need hotter water for a dishwasher or a long pipe run, ask the installer to set it up.

When the setting isn’t the problem

• Water is lukewarm no matter where the knob is. On a gas tank with a STATUS light, read the blink count first; two red blinks mean low thermopile voltage. See Richmond water heater blinking light codes.
• Water is much hotter than the mark. Turn the gas knob to OFF or switch off the electric breaker, and call a technician. A control that overshoots can trip the high limit. See water heater suddenly too hot.
• Tankless shows a code. See Richmond tankless error codes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What setting should I use on a Richmond gas water heater? A: Start at 120°F, the tick just below HOT on the STATUS-light control or the ▲ mark on the mechanical dial. Go higher only if you run out of hot water, and test at a tap after each change.

Q: Why did my new Richmond only give warm water? A: The manual says gas tanks leave the factory at the lowest setting. If the installer didn’t turn it up, the water stays lukewarm. Turn the knob to the starting point and give the tank time to heat.

Q: Does a higher setting give me more hot water? A: Slightly. Mixed at the tap with cold, hotter stored water stretches further. But it raises the scald risk and standby losses. On tankless models, a higher setting can reduce the flow the heater can serve at full temperature.