The Best Water Heater Temperature

Most water heaters are set to 140 degrees. This is a good temperature because the bacteria, legionella, cannot breed and almost all cannot live in such scorching temps. However, 140 degrees can be too hot for small kids and the elderly. If one is seeking to conserve cash also, think about modifying the water temp to around 120 and 130 degrees. The cost savings is not incredibly substantial, but this is the lowest recommended temperature to prevent contaminating water with legionella. Though this bacteria is fine to consume, it could be incredibly dangerous if taken into the lungs. Legionella lives and breeds in warm water but not in hot water. However, when considering what heat range to set ones water heater to, it is critical not to set it too high. Second and 3rd degree burns can take place on adult skin in 5 seconds with the preset temperature of 140 degrees, so never set the water temperature any higher and think about setting it lower if there are small kids or seniors in the house. Check out this post to learn more about the legionella bacteria and how to choose the ideal water heater temperature setting. Learn more about water heater repairs here.