Nov 25
How come people don’t turn the hot water heater to a level where it’s comfortable to take a shower?
Other - Home Garden Add commentsstimbo m asked:
I don’t understand why people have their hot water heater set to a level where the water will burn you or is uncomfortable. Why not set it to a level where it’s comfortable. Then you won’t have to cut on the cold water when you wash your hands or take a shower. You also will save power or gas in heating the water.
I don’t understand why people have their hot water heater set to a level where the water will burn you or is uncomfortable. Why not set it to a level where it’s comfortable. Then you won’t have to cut on the cold water when you wash your hands or take a shower. You also will save power or gas in heating the water.
5 Responses to “How come people don’t turn the hot water heater to a level where it’s comfortable to take a shower?”
November 26th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Dishwashers require higher temperatures.
November 29th, 2008 at 4:49 am
Because you would use too much water from your tank. What about using hot water for dishes or other cleaning? Sometimes you want the water hotter than is comfortable for a shower. You would drain your hot water tank quite quickly. An average shower uses around six or eight gallons a minute (half that if it’s a “water saver”). What if you have nore than one person taking a shower? Add laundry, dishes, etc. you can see how you might run out of hot water rather quickly. You’re right, though. Water heaters that use a tank waste energy heating water you never use. A “tankless” water heater is a bit more expensive but would easily pay for itself in saved energy costs. After it does pay for itself it’s like money in your pocket.
November 30th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Dish washing either by hand or with a dishwasher requires the higher temperature. Also, a much larger tank would be required to keep from running out of hot water.
Bert
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Davido & Bert have the capacity covered. If you are concerned about scalding, newer “pressure balanced” faucets and shower/tub controls can be installed that automatically blend in cold water or some even monitor the temperature. (Really nice if you have young ones.)
Drawback - none for bathing. But when I wanted the HOTTEST water for cleaning the driveway, I couldn’t get it from the tub anymore.
December 4th, 2008 at 12:49 am
There are other household needs for hot water than just using the water for a shower. Dish washing needs hot water, some clothes need hot water for proper washing. Having a hot water heater set to 120 to 130 degrees F actually does save energy since in the long run you do use less hot water in the mix down for a desired temperature. 40 gallons of warm water is not going to make for a very long shower, while 40 gallons of hot water would. Consider a use rate of 2 gallons per minute in a shower with a half gallon of hot water being used to get the desired temperature. How long is that 40 gallon tank of hot water going to last? Do as you please, but I believe that in the long run, using a cooler heater temperature, will result in higher costs since the heater will have to heat more often to supply your “hot” water needs.