Hot water is one of the simple luxuries of modern life, and there is often nothing better than a scolding hot shower to wash the day away.
As important and enjoyable as hot water is, some dangers come with it.
Many people don’t consider hot water safety to be at the top of their priority list; however, it is as important as knowing your smoke alarms are functional and how to correctly operate your stove.
We’re here to give you the rundown on all things hot water safety so you can enjoy your hot shower with complete peace of mind.
Water that is 70 degrees Celsius or higher will burn skin almost instantly, so the water in your home doesn’t even have to be ‘boiling’ to cause real damage.
Most people can withstand water at 50 degrees Celsius for up to 5 minutes, but the ideal temperature is around 45 degrees Celsius at most.
The water in your tank needs to be set to around 70 °C to minimise bacterial growth; however, your taps have temperature regulators to ensure the water doesn’t reach your shower at its highest temperature. Thanks to these regulators, even straight hot water without some cold meticulously added in isn’t enough to cause burns.
Many moving parts and elements work together to make your hot water safe to use. If any of these aren’t operating as they should, that’s when things start to heat up.
The ideal hot water temperature is around 45 degrees Celsius maximum.
Both electric and gas hot water systems have a thermostat that tells the water when to stop heating.
The temperature sensor in your thermostat tells your heating elements to heat the water or stop heating when the ideal temperature is achieved. If your thermostat is incorrectly calibrated or broken, your heating elements have no frame of reference and will keep heating until they boil. This can cause intense burns with water above 50 degrees, resulting in burns in minutes.
Residential water has a high mineral content, which is typically filtered out during treatment.
An excessive amount of build-up in your water (known as hard water) can be enough to raise your water temperature. The minerals settle at the bottom of your water heater and form a hard layer of sediment, forcing the heater to work harder and produce more energy. This can result in the heater overcompensating, overheating, and sending it to an early demise.
Your water heater has one or two heating elements on the inside that heat the water. If one or both elements are stuck on, the water will continue to heat and come out of your taps at a scalding temperature.
One of the most important components of the hot water system is the pressure-temperature relief valve, which releases excess pressure and maintains the tank’s pressure. At the same time, it heats your water.
If the pressure inside the tank is allowed to build, it will overheat your water at best and rupture or explode at worst.
Each of these issues places your hot water system and, therefore, your hot water at risk. If your hot water heater is old or due for a check-up, a qualified plumber can help reduce the risk to your family and ensure your hot water stays at the perfect temperature year-round.
Waters at high temperatures are dangerous to more than just our skin. If your hot water boils over or overheats beyond what is recommended for your cylinder, it can dramatically reduce the life expectancy of your hot water heater.
This happens through the formation of tiny cracks in the vitreous enamel lining on the inside of the tank. With prolonged overheating, these cracks will worsen, eventually eating away at the steel tank cylinder.
The primary form of protection for an electric hot water system is the energy cut-off (or ECO). The ECO is responsible for de-energising the interior temperature disk so that the water is not heated beyond around 85 degrees. If, for any reason, your water level becomes excessively high, the ECO will halt production, and your hot water system will require a professional reset by our crew or a crew near you.
In gas hot water heaters, the unitrol valve is the primary protection against overheated water. At temperatures ranging between 70 and 85 degrees, the ECO will activate, cutting the gas off. At this stage, you will need to call us here at Same Day Hot Water Service to get you back in hot water!
The secondary form of over-temperature protection is done through the pressure-temperature relief valve. The relief valve usually has a setting between 95 and 99 degrees before it failsafes and dumps water to cool down the tank. It does this through a wax element inside the valve that detects high temperatures and opens to relieve that pressure.
Make the switch for peace of mind todayAll working elements have an expiry date, and your hot water heater is no exception. Your heater should last up to ten years, and if it’s survived past this point, trouble could be just around the corner.
Whether you’re concerned that your hot water system is outdated, you think something may be wrong with the interior fail-safes, or if your system has stopped producing hot water altogether, the safest choice is always to get a professional opinion.
Each part of your hot water system, including the hot water heater, works together harmoniously to keep you and your family safe from scalding hot water.
Having a professional by your side, along with the best hot water system recommendations for your property, ensures your system is doing its job. Get in touch today to discover the difference that perfectly tempered water can bring to your home.