Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps increasing
the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in some other way.

Opinions ?

Thanks,
B.

On Feb 13, 4:01*pm, Bob wrote:
Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps increasing
the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in some other way.

Opinions ?

Thanks,
B.

140 degF used to be the norm.
However this changed when legionnaires disease was discovered when it
was increased and a dilution device installed.
That is if you want to be up to date.

?
"Bob" wrote in message
...
Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps increasing
the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in some other way.

Opinions ?

Thanks,
B.

Mine is set to 130. You don't want to go below because of the possibility
of Legionaries bacteria that can thrive at 120 or less. You don't want to
go much hotter to avoid scalding. This is important with young children and
seniors that are not able to react to a very hot situation.

Bob wrote:
Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps increasing
the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in some other way.

Opinions ?

Thanks,
B.
Hi,
I set it at 145 Deg. F. Maybe your tank is undersized?

set tank to maximum after adding tempering valve that mixes hot and
cold water to produce output water thats not too hot.but can double
capacity.

how old is the tank? and what kind of fuel?

electric can need new heater, gas can sludge up.....

was this lack of capacity always a problem?

On 2/13/2011 11:01 AM, Bob wrote:
Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps increasing
the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in some other way.

Opinions ?

Thanks,
B.

No hotter than 120F, especially if there are elderly, small children or
handicapped people in the home. NO REASON for hotter water...if one
wants hotter water for dish washing, can always heat some on the stove.

http://www.cpnonline.org/CRS/CRS/pa_ho****r_pep.htm

?
wrote
No hotter than 120F, especially if there are elderly, small children or
handicapped people in the home. NO REASON for hotter water...if one wants
hotter water for dish washing, can always heat some on the stove.

http://www.cpnonline.org/CRS/CRS/pa_ho****r_pep.htm

Close, but these people way a little higher is better
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009...-safe.php#ch04

Candada Savety Council
For example, temperatures under 50 C may increase the risk of Legionnaires'
disease, a form of pneumonia, due to bacterial growth in the tank. That
disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, which live in water. Temperature
is a critical factor for Legionella to grow. The risk of colonization in hot
water tanks is significant between 40 and 50 C

FYI, 50C = 122F I go for 130.

On Sun, 13 Feb 2011 13:12:09 -0500, "Ed Pawlowski"
wrote:

?
wrote
No hotter than 120F, especially if there are elderly, small children or
handicapped people in the home. NO REASON for hotter water...if one wants
hotter water for dish washing, can always heat some on the stove.

http://www.cpnonline.org/CRS/CRS/pa_ho****r_pep.htm

Close, but these people way a little higher is better
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009...-safe.php#ch04

Candada Savety Council
For example, temperatures under 50 C may increase the risk of Legionnaires'
disease, a form of pneumonia, due to bacterial growth in the tank. That
disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, which live in water. Temperature
is a critical factor for Legionella to grow. The risk of colonization in hot
water tanks is significant between 40 and 50 C

FYI, 50C = 122F I go for 130.

How about jacking it above 140 and running the hot water down the
drain?
"Stout recommends temporarily turning up the temperature to above 140
Degrees F and running the hot water outlets for half an hour. Since
the bacteria quickly return, this should be done regularly, especially
if people prone to the infection are using the water."

But then you got this advice.
"Other risk factors for Legionnaires' disease identified by the study
included smoking, working more than 40 hours per week and spending
nights away from home."

Uh-oh.
I think I'm going to find something else to worry about.

--Vic

On Feb 13, 9:01*am, Bob wrote:
Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps increasing
the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in some other way.

Opinions ?

Thanks,
B.

==
Mine runs at around 180 degrees F. (first setting on hot). If you use
a dishwasher and have the temp too low there will always be a lag as
the thermostat in the dishwasher triggers the electric heater in it to
increase water temperature. One can use the highest setting for the
water heater but that wastes a lot of NG or power as the case may be.
This is not necessary or recommended.

Just make sure that kids are educated as how to run hot water safely
with the right cold water blending. If the kids are quite young then
lower the tank heater to around 140 degrees F. (medium low) to be on
the safe side.
==

?
"Nate Nagel" wrote

actually if legionnaire's is your main concern 140F is still a good
standard. the move toward 120 was driving by scalding concerns more than
anything else. personally I would keep it at 140 and if you have children
or elderly in the house install a tempering valve on the shower and at
other fixtures they are likely to use. I likes me a good hot shower and
tank at 120 doesn't cut it.

My shower has a valve that can be set to a maximum temperature. I just crank
it to full hot and step in once it is hot. Does not matter if summer or
winter.

Bob wrote:
Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps
increasing the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in
some other way.
Opinions ?

No opinion, just the facts - as far as the water heater itself is concerned.

You can safely turn the temperature up as high as it will go.

The whole system is designed to safely handle temperatures much hotter than
what you can direct via the thermostat. Further, there are backup
fail-safes, such as the pressure relief valve.

Downstream from the heater, if not hot enough, you'll risk death from
various diseases that thrive in merely warm water. Too hot, and you risk
death from scalding.

Other than that - and I don't know your wife - if the water temperature IS
adjusted to her liking, you may risk her complaining about something else
more important.

On Feb 13, 2:34*pm, Roy wrote:
On Feb 13, 9:01*am, Bob wrote:

Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps increasing
the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in some other way.

Opinions ?

Thanks,
B.

==
Mine runs at around 180 degrees F. (first setting on hot).

I'd hate to see what the last setting is. That's hot enough to
scald someone. I'm with the 130 range folks. Hot enough for
the dishwasher and a reasonable supply of hot water, safe
from legionaires, but not dangerous and a waste of extra
energy.




If you use
a dishwasher and have the temp too low there will always be a lag as
the thermostat in the dishwasher triggers the electric heater in it to
increase water temperature. One can use the highest setting for the
water heater but that wastes a lot of NG or power as the case may be.
This is not necessary or recommended.

Just make sure that kids are educated as how to run hot water safely
with the right cold water blending. If the kids are quite young then
lower the tank heater to around 140 degrees F. (medium low) to be on
the safe side.
==

On Feb 13, 11:01*am, Bob wrote:
Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps increasing
the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in some other way.

Opinions ?

Thanks,
B.

You have a "hot water heater"?

What do you use to heat the water to make it hot before it goes into
your "hot water heater"? ;-)

On Feb 13, 11:40*pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Feb 13, 11:01*am, Bob wrote:

Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps increasing
the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in some other way.

Opinions ?

Thanks,
B.

You have a "hot water heater"?

What do you use to heat the water to make it hot before it goes into
your "hot water heater"? ;-)

have a friend who feared his aging mom would get burned from hot
water, she couldnt really feel it.

so he added a tempering valve, otherwise called a anti scald valve,
but he fed his dishwasher before that valve and set his hot water tank
to maximum.

i forget the details but he said it doubled his tanks capacity and no
one could get burned, plus his dishwasher worked better than it ever
had...this also elminates the risk of legionaires disease.

i am surprised the feds havent made such a valve mandatory......

On Feb 14, 6:25*am, " wrote:
On Feb 13, 11:40*pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:





On Feb 13, 11:01*am, Bob wrote:

Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps increasing
the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in some other way..

Opinions ?

Thanks,
B.

You have a "hot water heater"?

What do you use to heat the water to make it hot before it goes into
your "hot water heater"? ;-)

have a friend who feared his aging mom would get burned from hot
water, she couldnt really feel it.

so he added a tempering valve, otherwise called a anti scald valve,
but he fed his dishwasher before that valve and set his hot water tank
to maximum.

i forget the details but he said it doubled his tanks capacity and no
one could get burned, plus his dishwasher worked better than it ever
had...this also elminates the risk of legionaires disease.

i am surprised the feds havent made such a valve mandatory......- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

The downside to that is the water heater will be using more energy
because the heat losses during standby have increased significantly.
But if you need a supply of more hot water from a tank type, that is
the way to get it.

On Feb 14, 11:25*am, " wrote:
On Feb 13, 11:40*pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:





On Feb 13, 11:01*am, Bob wrote:

Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps increasing
the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in some other way..

Opinions ?

Thanks,
B.

You have a "hot water heater"?

What do you use to heat the water to make it hot before it goes into
your "hot water heater"? ;-)

have a friend who feared his aging mom would get burned from hot
water, she couldnt really feel it.

so he added a tempering valve, otherwise called a anti scald valve,
but he fed his dishwasher before that valve and set his hot water tank
to maximum.

i forget the details but he said it doubled his tanks capacity and no
one could get burned, plus his dishwasher worked better than it ever
had...this also elminates the risk of legionaires disease.

i am surprised the feds havent made such a valve mandatory......- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

It is a bad idea putting hot water in any washing machine or
dishwasher. It sets the stains in. If the water is heated from cold
the stains come out better.

It doesn't make that much difference anyway, the water is cooled as it
heats up the mass of metal.

On Feb 14, 11:25*am, " wrote:
On Feb 13, 11:40*pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:





On Feb 13, 11:01*am, Bob wrote:

Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps increasing
the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in some other way..

Opinions ?

Thanks,
B.

You have a "hot water heater"?

What do you use to heat the water to make it hot before it goes into
your "hot water heater"? ;-)

have a friend who feared his aging mom would get burned from hot
water, she couldnt really feel it.

so he added a tempering valve, otherwise called a anti scald valve,
but he fed his dishwasher before that valve and set his hot water tank
to maximum.

i forget the details but he said it doubled his tanks capacity and no
one could get burned, plus his dishwasher worked better than it ever
had...this also elminates the risk of legionaires disease.

i am surprised the feds havent made such a valve mandatory......- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

"Roy" wrote in message
...
On Feb 13, 9:01 am, Bob wrote:
Hello,

What is the "typical," Safe, temp. setting for the vertical style gas
fired house hot water heater ?

Wife is always complaining about not enough hot water, but am a bit
concerned about making the dialed temp., too hot, and perhaps increasing
the pressure in the tank too much, or making unsafe in some other way.

Opinions ?

Thanks,
B.

Hello,

You have to balance two competing objectives - hot enough in the tank to
prevent the bacteria causing Legionaries' Disease from growing but cool
enough at the tap to keep from scalding (antiscald valves not considered).
To do this, check the water temperature at the hot water tap furthest from
the tank. By furthest, I mean where the hot water must take the longest
path to get to the tap. This tap is likely to have the coolest hot water as
the water had the most chance to loose heat during its travel. Use a
drinking glass with a thermometer in it and let the water overflow the glass
until it is fully hot. You want 120 deg F which is the maximum temperature
various agencies have recommended to prevent scalding. Adjust the hot water
heater as necessary
Now, check the temperature setting of the hot water in the tank. If it
is above 130 deg F, you will have to live with it unless you want to install
point of use heating. If it is below 130 deg F, you will have to increase
it to that temperature as various agencies agree that 130 deg F is the
minimum temperature needed to prevent the bacteria causing Legionaries'
Disease from growing.

Good Luck