If you are a regular reader of our blog, you are probably aware that you can change the temperature of your hot water heater. This may have led you to set it to an unnecessarily high temperature.
While some websites and plumbers may tell you that 140° F is the optimal temperature for your hot water heater, they are wrong. There are multiple reasons why setting your temperature this high is a bad idea.
The first reason is energy efficiency. If you have a traditional water heater with a holding tank, the water is kept at your desired temperature around the clock, whether you are using it or not. Keeping it at 120° instead of 140° can save you up to 10% on your monthly water heating bill.
Another reason to turn your water heater down is for the health and safety of your skin. Even if you love taking hot showers, 140° is far from comforting. Water that hot can cause 2nd degree burning after only three seconds of exposure, and 3rd degree burning after just five seconds.
Not only can that water damage your skin, but it can also damage the plates, utensils, and cookware in your dishwasher.
The experts at Patterson Plumbing and Heating recommend keeping your hot water heater set to 120° F. This is still plenty hot enough to wash your body, dishes, and clothes, while also saving you money on your energy bills and helping to prevent scalding accidents. It takes a full five minutes of exposure to 120° water to cause a 3rd-degree burn.
Patterson Plumbing and Heating is Colorado’s leading authority in hot water heaters, plumbing repairs, and home heating services. If you live in Pueblo or the surrounding area, contact us online or give us a call at (719) 496-4939.