Plumbing

That's HOT

How hot is TOO hot? Cold is on the Right Plumbing helps you set that water heater temp correctly.

August 28, 2015

Everyone loves hot water in the shower and at the faucets… but how hot is too hot?

It’s important to maintain a balance between setting the water heater to a temperature reducing the risk of scalding, while also keeping a high enough setting to prevent illness from pathogens/bacteria.

The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency recommend having your tank-based water heater set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Why? At 120˚F it takes more than five minutes to produce a serious burn on adult skin. It is also energy efficient and can kill bacteria. At 140˚F it kills bacteria faster, but it takes less than 5 seconds to produce a serious burn and it only takes 1/2 second at 160˚F!

What temperature is your water heater set at?

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