Is your water hot enough? The thermostat gauge on a water heater goes from 90 degrees to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The average water heater is set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Water can take about thirty minutes to get to a temperature in a gas powered water heater and over an hour or so in an electrically powered water heater. Here in Texas, Five Star Plumbing suggests a setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit is best and here are some of the main reasons why:
Plumbing Code
All water heaters are required to be set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit at minimum to be in accordance with the law. You will not pass inspection if your heater registers above or below this degree setting. Obviously passing an inspection is important.
No Burn Accidents
At 120 degrees, occupants do not have to worry about getting burned by running water in a home. You can only suffer a burn if you are exposed to a constant stream for 5 minutes. The temperature can vary between the water in the tank and your faucet. You can use a thermometer to monitor the difference. Any level of degrees above the recommendation could result in a third degree burn within seconds.
Reasonable Utility Cost
The water heater temperature will not cause excessive charges. Your water heater will have a label with the average yearly cost associated with its functionality in your home. Based on statistics the average expenditure of a 5500-gallon water heater is less than $1,000 per year averaging out to less than $10 per month.
Health
Germs will grow in a heated environment. Hot water is a perfect incubation chamber for many forms of bacteria. If the water temperature is below 120 degrees Fahrenheit, certain bacteria can fester and become a gross health hazard. While a higher temperature can eliminate the threat of a living organism in your water supply, the standard should keep you safe from almost all harm.
Remember, your heater needs to be set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal usage. Should your water heater develop a leak, water temperature becomes inconsistent, or malfunction in any way, do not hesitate to have it checked by a professional. For more information, contact a plumbing specialist at Five Star Plumbing in either one of our 2 locations. We are located in San Antonio, Texas.
