Hot tap water could give your child a severe burn. Many Canadian homes have hot water that is 60°C (140°F). Water this hot
could burn your child’s skin in just one second. The water from your hot water tap should be 49°C (120°F). When water is this
temperature, it would take 10 minutes to burn your child’s skin.
The following chart shows just how dangerous hot water can be.
| Water Temperature |
Time to Cause a Bad Burn |
| 66°C (150°F) |
2 seconds |
| 60°C (140°F) |
6 seconds |
| 52°C (125°F) |
2 minutes |
| 49°C (120°F) |
10 minutes |
The following are some common questions and answers about hot water heater settings.
Q: How can I tell how hot my water is?
A: You can measure the hot water temperature as follows:
-
Use a
thermometer which can show high temperatures, like a meat or candy thermometer.
-
Turn on the hot water tap in your bathroom. Let it run for 2 minutes. If you have used a lot of hot water in the past hour,
wait 2 hours before you do this test.
-
Fill a cup with the hot water. Put the thermometer in the cup.
-
Look at the temperature. If it is higher than 49°C (120°F), you need to lower your water temperature.
Q: How can I lower the temperature of my tap water?
A: For existing hot water systems, Safe Kids Canada recommends that homeowners test the temperature of their hot water and
lower it to 49°C.
Gas hot water heaters usually have a thermostat outside the tank at the bottom. Electric water heaters usually have either
two panels screwed to the top and bottom of the tank or one panel along the side of the tank. Thermostats are located under
these panels.
The thermostat should be set on the "low" setting or within the "energy efficient range." If the temperature at the kitchen
sink is too hot at this setting, adjust the thermostat to a lower setting.
After changing the thermostat setting, you can test the hot water temperature again about 24 hours later. If you test it in
less than 24 hours, you will not get an accurate reading. Continue to test the water temperature and adjust the thermostat
setting until the water is no hotter than 52°C (125°F). If you get it below 49°C (120°F), then turn it back up a small amount.
Due to the design of electric heaters, there are some concerns associated with bacteria formation. The risks are minimal to
the general public, but the immuno-compromised and the elderly tend to be susceptible to illness from these bacteria. Take
advice from a professional when making this decision.
The Ontario government also recommends the following options for hot water safety:
-
installation of pressure-balanced or thermostatic-mixing shower valves for shower heads and an anti-scald device at each hot
water faucet
-
installation of an anti-scald mixing valve at the outlet of the water heater to lower the temperature to 49°C
-
installation of a water heater with an integral anti-scald device
Q: What is the cost of these options?
A. The valve at the tank costs in the neighbourhood of $150 if installed by your hot water tank provider. Should you choose
to do it yourself, you will need a plumber in addition to the cost of the valve. The more complex the requirement, the greater
the cost.
Q: I live in an apartment building. What can I do?
A. You can approach your landlord to discuss the options for your building or you can install an anti-scald device at each
tap.
Q: If I turn the hot water heater setting down, won't I have trouble getting the dishes in the dishwasher and the clothes
in the washing machine clean?
A: No. The major soap manufacturers design their soap to work best in water between 49°C and 52°C (120°F and 125°F).
Q: Will my baby get more colds if the hot water isn't hot enough?
A: No. Hot water has nothing to do with getting colds.
Q: Will we run out of hot water any sooner if we turn the temperature down?
A: Yes, you will. But this may be a small price to pay to protect your child.
Q: Will I save any money on utility bills by turning down the temperature setting?
A: Lowering the setting of your hot water heater from 60°C to 49°C will reduce your heating bill, but some of these savings
may be offset by the amount of hot water used. Estimates of savings range from 10% to 18% of a family’s annual energy bills.
Overall, modest savings can be achieved on an annual basis, in the range of $30 to $40 per year, possibly higher if energy
costs rise.
