Adjusting the water heater temperature: savings and safety
Too hot is expensive and dangerous (burns). Too cold is risky (bacteria). Find the happy medium.
Recommended Materials
- Kitchen thermometer
- Screwdriver (to open the cover)
Steps to follow
Step 1
The happy medium: The ideal domestic hot water (DHW) temperature is between 55°C and 60°C. It is the perfect compromise between health safety, energy savings and comfort.
Step 2
The health risk (Legionella): If the water stagnates below 50°C, bacteria such as legionella can develop in the tank. When taking a shower, you breathe in contaminated droplets which can cause a serious lung infection. You should therefore NEVER set your water heater below 50-55°C.
Step 3
The risk of burns and limescale: Above 60°C, the risk of burns becomes very high (especially for children and the elderly: 3rd degree burn in 3 seconds at 60°C!). In addition, limescale precipitates massively from 60°C, which reduces the resistance and reduces the lifespan of your device.
Step 4
How to adjust (electric water heater): 1. TURN OFF the power at the electrical panel (water heater circuit breaker). 2. Unscrew the plastic protective cover located under the balloon. 3. Locate the thermostat (a small box with a dial graduated from 1 to 5 or +/-). 4. Turn the dial slightly towards minus (if the water was hot). 5. Replace the cover and power.
Step 5
Check the setting: Wait the next day (after overnight heating). Run hot water from the kitchen faucet into a glass and immediately measure the temperature with a kitchen thermometer. Adjust if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I going on vacation ?
For a weekend, don't touch anything. For a week or more, turn off the power supply to the water heater so as not to heat the water unnecessarily. When you return, heat it thoroughly overnight before taking a shower to kill any bacteria.
Precautions
- TURN OFF THE POWER at the electrical panel before opening the water heater (risk of 230V electrocution).
- Never drop below 50°C.
