§ 66-27.1A. Water heater thermostat settings. - North Carolina Statutes

§66‑27.1A.  Water heater thermostat settings.

(a)        The thermostat ofany new residential water heater offered for sale or lease for use in a single‑familyor multifamily dwelling in the State shall be preset by the manufacturer orinstaller no higher than approximately 120 degrees Fahrenheit (or 49 degreesCelsius).  A water heater reservoir temperature may be set higher if it issupplying space heaters that require higher temperatures.  For purposes of thissection, a water heater shall mean the primary source of hot water for anysingle‑family or multifamily residential dwelling including, but notlimited to any solar or other hot water heating systems.

(b)        Nothing in thissection shall prohibit the occupant of a single‑family or multiunitresidential dwelling with an individual water heater from resetting or havingreset the thermostat on the water heater.  Any such resetting shall relieve themanufacturer or installer of the water heater and, in the case of a residentialdwelling that is leased or rented, also the unit's owner, from liability fordamages attributed to the resetting.

(c)        A warning tag orsticker shall be placed on or near the operating thermostat control of anyresidential water heater.  This tag or sticker shall state that the thermostatsettings above the preset temperature may cause severe burns.  This tag orsticker may carry such other appropriate warnings as may be agreed upon bymanufacturers, installers, and other interested parties.  (1991,c. 190, s. 1.)