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Plumbing Help: How to Avoid Burns at Home When Setting The Water Temperature
Sat 06 Jan 2007 - 16:14
Plumbing Help: How to Avoid Burns at Home When Setting The Water Temperature
By Donald Koen
Sometimes it seems like your shower or sinks are too hot, or not hot enough.
But raising the temperature valve on your water heater can be dangerous or a waste of energy. If there are children, elderly, or disabled persons in your household, for example, you might not want to set the thermostat above 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid contact with "hot" water.
The following chart may help you determine the right temperature for your water heater. According to Shriners Burn Institute:
- Water set to 125 degrees generally takes about 1.5 to 2 minutes to scald.
- Water set to 130 degrees generally takes about 30 seconds to scald.
- Water set to 135 degrees generally takes about 10 seconds to scald.
- Water set to 140 degrees generally takes about 5 seconds to scald.
- Water set to 145 degrees generally takes about 3 seconds to scald.
- Water set to 150 degrees generally takes about 1.5 seconds to scald.
- Water set to 155 degrees generally takes about 1 second to scald.
So you can see how small increases in temperature can have a large effect on scald times.
People are often concerned about raising the temperature on their water valves due to a bacteria known as Legionella (and the disease known as Legionella's disease) that thrives in water at a temperature of 105 to 115 degrees.
Since this bacteria cannot survive above a temperature of 131 degrees people often look to exceed that temperature despite the risk of scalds.
Fortunately, the solution is a simple one. A device known as a water mixer allows your water to be heated to a point that will kill off all harmful bacteria, but sets a different max temperature to water being distributed to your tap water in sinks and showers.
A plumber can install this device for you quickly and without great expense!
Donald Koen is a master plumber and owner of Koen Plumbing, a
Dallas Plumbing Company since 1946. If
you're looking for a Dallas Plumber,
Donald can offer expert assistance through his website www.KoenPlumbing.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Koen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Plumbing-Help:-How-to-Avoid-Burns-at-Home-When-Setting-The-Water-Temperature&id=403204
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