Water Heaters Now: What Temperature Should My Hot Water Be from the Hot Water Heater? Experts Disagree on Temperature for Hot Water Heaters! Setting the proper temperature in your water heater is important for health, safety, and practical reasons. It can help you save on energy costs, protect you from scalding and certain diseases, and prevent hazards caused by excessive temperatures. The right temperature would depend on certain factors. Risks Here are some of the risks when water temperature is too low or too high. Scalding When the temperature of the water is too high, it can easily cause first degree burns and second degree burns. Young children are especially vulnerable because they have thinner skins. The elderly are also at higher risk because they’re less sensitive and may not move as fast away from the scalding water. Pathogens and Bacteria On the other hand, when the water temperature is warm or not hot enough, you risk pathogens which could cause diseases. The bacteria called Legionella can thrive in water temperatures below 120 degrees and could cause Legionares’ disease. According to new studies, 20 percent of patients diagnosed with the disease may have contracted it from domestic hot water systems. Dead legs in your water heater or branches that are rarely used contain stagnant water that can be a breeding ground for the bacteria. This could easily contaminate the entire system. There may also be foul odors caused by the bacteria. In this case, raising the temperature will help. Recommended Temperature So what is the right temperature? To prevent Legionella, it is recommended to raise the temperature to over 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This is especially important when using the hot water in old dishwashers to ensure clean and sanitary dishes. A study featured in the World Health Organization states that Legionella dies almost instantly at water temperature of above 158 degrees. At 122 degrees, they can survive but not multiply. When using the shower however, especially for children and the elderly, the recommended temperature setting is 120 degrees according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. There are some conflicting views about the minimum and maximum temperature settings. To be safe, the important thing to note is that water must be stored at high enough temperature to prevent bacteria growth but delivered at lower temperature from the tap to prevent scalds. Another solution is to install anti-scald devices and tempering valves to prevent scalding and just set the temperature from 135 to 140 degrees to inhibit bacteria growth. Photo Credit Copyright: maridav / 123RF Stock Photo Your best choice when you need a water heater replacement is to call Water Heaters Now! The post What Temperature Should My Hot Water Be from the Hot Water Heater? appeared first on Water Heaters Now | Same Day Hot Water Heater Replacement Minneapolis, St Paul, Metro.

Friday, January 12, 2018

What Temperature Should My Hot Water Be from the Hot Water Heater? Experts Disagree on Temperature for Hot Water Heaters! Setting the proper temperature in your water heater is important for health, safety, and practical reasons. It can help you save on energy costs, protect you from scalding and certain diseases, and prevent hazards caused by excessive temperatures. The right temperature would depend on certain factors. Risks Here are some of the risks when water temperature is too low or too high. Scalding When the temperature of the water is too high, it can easily cause first degree burns and second degree burns. Young children are especially vulnerable because they have thinner skins. The elderly are also at higher risk because they’re less sensitive and may not move as fast away from the scalding water. Pathogens and Bacteria On the other hand, when the water temperature is warm or not hot enough, you risk pathogens which could cause diseases. The bacteria called Legionella can thrive in water temperatures below 120 degrees and could cause Legionares’ disease. According to new studies, 20 percent of patients diagnosed with the disease may have contracted it from domestic hot water systems. Dead legs in your water heater or branches that are rarely used contain stagnant water that can be a breeding ground for the bacteria. This could easily contaminate the entire system. There may also be foul odors caused by the bacteria. In this case, raising the temperature will help. Recommended Temperature So what is the right temperature? To prevent Legionella, it is recommended to raise the temperature to over 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This is especially important when using the hot water in old dishwashers to ensure clean and sanitary dishes. A study featured in the World Health Organization states that Legionella dies almost instantly at water temperature of above 158 degrees. At 122 degrees, they can survive but not multiply. When using the shower however, especially for children and the elderly, the recommended temperature setting is 120 degrees according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. There are some conflicting views about the minimum and maximum temperature settings. To be safe, the important thing to note is that water must be stored at high enough temperature to prevent bacteria growth but delivered at lower temperature from the tap to prevent scalds. Another solution is to install anti-scald devices and tempering valves to prevent scalding and just set the temperature from 135 to 140 degrees to inhibit bacteria growth. Photo Credit Copyright: maridav / 123RF Stock Photo Your best choice when you need a water heater replacement is to call Water Heaters Now! The post What Temperature Should My Hot Water Be from the Hot Water Heater? appeared first on Water Heaters Now | Same Day Hot Water Heater Replacement Minneapolis, St Paul, Metro.

Experts Disagree on Temperature for Hot Water Heaters!

Setting the proper temperature in your water heater is important for health, safety, and practical reasons. It can help you save on energy costs, protect you from scalding and certain diseases, and prevent hazards caused by excessive temperatures. The right temperature would depend on certain factors.

Risks

Here are some of the risks when water temperature is too low or too high.

Scalding

When the temperature of the water is too high, it can easily cause first degree burns and second degree burns. Young children are especially vulnerable because they have thinner skins. The elderly are also at higher risk because they’re less sensitive and may not move as fast away from the scalding water.

Pathogens and Bacteria

On the other hand, when the water temperature is warm or not hot enough, you risk pathogens which could cause diseases. The bacteria called Legionella can thrive in water temperatures below 120 degrees and could cause Legionares’ disease. According to new studies, 20 percent of patients diagnosed with the disease may have contracted it from domestic hot water systems.

Dead legs in your water heater or branches that are rarely used contain stagnant water that can be a breeding ground for the bacteria. This could easily contaminate the entire system. There may also be foul odors caused by the bacteria. In this case, raising the temperature will help.

Recommended Temperature

So what is the right temperature?

To prevent Legionella, it is recommended to raise the temperature to over 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This is especially important when using the hot water in old dishwashers to ensure clean and sanitary dishes. A study featured in the World Health Organization states that Legionella dies almost instantly at water temperature of above 158 degrees. At 122 degrees, they can survive but not multiply.

When using the shower however, especially for children and the elderly, the recommended temperature setting is 120 degrees according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

There are some conflicting views about the minimum and maximum temperature settings. To be safe, the important thing to note is that water must be stored at high enough temperature to prevent bacteria growth but delivered at lower temperature from the tap to prevent scalds.

Another solution is to install anti-scald devices and tempering valves to prevent scalding and just set the temperature from 135 to 140 degrees to inhibit bacteria growth.

Photo Credit Copyright: maridav / 123RF Stock Photo

Your best choice when you need a water heater replacement is to call Water Heaters Now!

The post What Temperature Should My Hot Water Be from the Hot Water Heater? appeared first on Water Heaters Now | Same Day Hot Water Heater Replacement Minneapolis, St Paul, Metro.