Is there any better feeling than stepping into a hot shower on a cold winter morning in Clearwater, FL? Sure, the heat will rise into the 70s as the day goes on, but when it’s morning, in the 50s and you’re feeling chilly, nothing warms you up quite like a steaming hot shower. Should you be aware of any particular dangers, though? Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is here to set the record straight!
What Temperature Should My Water Heater Stay At?
Interestingly, there is a disparity between what water heater manufacturers and the Department of Energy recommend. Manufacturers have selected 140 degrees for the default setting. The Department of Energy, meanwhile, believes that you should keep your water heater set to 120 degrees. Which setting is best for your home?
Well, first it’s important to realize that 120 degrees was selected by the Department of Energy because anything lower will increase your risk of contracting Legionnaire’s disease. In fact, anytime your water heater drops below 120 degrees can cause your water to stagnate, which makes you susceptible to harmful bacteria such as legionella.
Although stagnate water ceases to be a factor in tankless water heaters, it’ll still cause you to experience whatever temperature you set it at. Raising the temperature to 140 degrees will definitely prevent bacteria in water heaters with a tank, but there is a risk to your overall skin health. Additionally, it’s possible you could suffer from a burn.
When every factor is considered, it comes down to the following facts:
- 120 degrees – Ideal for households that have one occupant and/or elderly individuals or young children. Third-degree burns can impact these age groups quickly.
- 140 degrees – Ideal for multi-occupant households, dishwashers without a preheat setting, and immunocompromised individuals.
What About Skin Health?
If you’re concerned about the health of your skin, it’s definitely a good idea to turn down your water heater. Water temperatures of 140 degrees or more can cause your skin to redden, and you might even be left with red spots underneath your skin. It’s also important to know that hot water will strip the natural oils from your skin, which causes skin dryness. This, in turn, can cause uncomfortable skin irritation, itchiness and flaking.
Skin health experts suggest bathing in lukewarm water, which is around 100 degrees. Of course, we already know that keeping your water heater at 100 degrees can be extremely unhealthy for you overall. In the battle between skin health and preventing Legionnaire’s disease, you should always pick avoiding Legionnaire’s.
Temperature Adjustments Might Still be Necessary
You’ve fiddled with your water heater’s temperature and found a setting you love. You can just set it there and forget about it, right? Unfortunately, maybe not. It might be necessary to purchase a water tank booster. These boosters can avoid pathogens by keeping the water in your tank at 140 degrees, while still mixing with colder water to deliver a better temperature when you shower or wash your hands.
Another issue you might run into is finding that it takes a really long time for hot water to reach your taps. Again, a water tank booster can help alleviate this issue by ensuring that your hot water system constantly circulates. In other words, it’ll provide nearly instantaneous hot water to each of your taps.
What About Energy Costs?
The average water heater accounts for approximately 14-18% of your Clearwater home’s energy consumption. For every 10 degrees that you bump down your water heater, you can expect to save around 3-5%. Therefore, it might be tempting to set your water heater at 120 degrees. However, once you consider that legionella can survive at temperatures of up to 122 degrees for as long as 124 minutes, it becomes much harder to justify.
Are you still unsure of what to do? It’s always possible to mess with your water heater’s temperature until you find the perfect setting. For instance, maybe you’ll decide that 120 degrees and 140 degrees are not the right setting for you. Instead, you might prefer your water set at 130 degrees, for example. This would bring your costs down 3-5% from 140 degrees, but it also wouldn’t put you at an increased risk of contracting Legionnaire’s disease.
Should I Use the Water Heater’s Top Setting?
So far, you’ve learned that the Department of Energy and water heater manufacturers debate between setting your heater at 120 or 140 degrees. However, you might have noticed that your water heater can actually be turned all the way up to 160 degrees. This setting is for people who love hot water more than they care about their skin’s health. What it really does, though, is cause you to waste energy. So, not only will you have to pay more money for your hot water but you’ll also greatly increase your risk of getting burned.
Overall, choosing 160 degrees for your water heater will make it unreasonably hot. Most experts say you should never select your water heater’s ‘very hot’ setting. Switching between 120 and 140 degrees is the best way to maintain your physical health without sacrificing your skin health too much.
What About the Vacation Setting?
Some hot water heaters also have a vacation setting. Select this option if you’re going out of town for more than a couple of days. It’ll prevent energy waste by not heating up your water at all. The pilot light will stay lit, however, which means you won’t have to try to relight it.
Call Clearwater’s Expert Plumbing Team
Whether you need your water heater repaired or replaced, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Clearwater. We also do tankless water heater installations if you’d like to avoid dealing with stagnate water, along with installing water softeners.
Reach out to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today to find out your options for repairing or replacing your water heater.