Factors that Affect the Temperature of Your Hot Water System
Did you know you can change your hot water system temperature? If you don’t install these systems, you might not realize that you have control over how hot your water comes out of the tap when you turn on a faucet. Most of the time, HVAC professionals set the water temperature of a hot water system at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. But, that may not be the right temperature for you. There are factors that affect the temperature of your hot water system.
120 Degree Minimum
Before we get into the factors that may affect how hot your water should be as it comes out of your faucets, you need to know that it should never be set lower than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because you need the temperature to be high enough so that bacteria won’t grow in your water heater as the water sits in there waiting to be used. The 120 degree minimum is recommended by most professionals because it’s hot enough to discourage bacterial growth, but not so hot that it scalds your hands when it comes out of the faucet.
Money Savings
The typical water heater accounts for about 18% of a homeowner’s energy bill. If that’s too much for your budget, you may consider turning down your water heater temperature. Be aware that dropping it below 120 degrees Fahrenheit could put you at risk of bacteria growth in your pipes, but for every 10 degrees you lower your water system’s temperature, you will save between 3% and 5% on your water bill. This doesn’t mean you should keep your water cold, but if money is a concern, this is one way to save a few dollars each month.
Children and Elderly
Research shows that it takes just two seconds to receive a third-degree burn from 150-degree water and just five seconds from 140-degree water. If you have children or elderly people in your home, it’s best to keep your hot water system temperature at 120 degree Fahrenheit. This temperature will be hot enough to prevent bacteria from growing, but it won’t cause burns to the skin. Even with babies, though, you should always test the water’s temperature before exposing them to it in a bath or shower.
Dishwasher Type
Some dishwashers do not have a preheat setting, which means the water used to wash your dishes may be cold at first and in fact, may never reach a hot enough temperature to sterilize them, especially if it takes a while for your hot water to reach your dishwasher. Your dishes could be halfway through the cleaning cycle before the water reaches temperature. If your dishwasher does not have a preheat option, consider raising your hot water system temperature to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This will increase the temperature of the water in your dishwasher more quickly, which will mean your dishes get cleaner.
Conclusion
For most families, setting your hot water system temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit is adequate. But, you may have a special circumstance that requires a hotter or cooler temperature. If you’re still unsure about what temperature is right for your needs, contact a professional to help you decide.
