hot water temp

Euphoria1z

Hi


I have a valiant combi boiler, it has temp controls for central heating and hot water.


The control for hot water I have set to aprox between 45c and 50c as I feel this hot enough for us to use without mixing cold water as our bathroom sink has no mixer.


Now Ive been reading that the temp should be closer to 65c to kill bacteria? does this only apply to systems that use a water tank to store water? or will it apply to me also and that I should raise my temp to 65c even though I have no tank (that I can see)? I get hot water after I open the taps for a few seconds (the boiler comes on and heats water).


can I leave my temp on what its currently on without worrying about bacteria?


Thanks

phill99

You should have it at 65 as hot water remains in the pipes. Below this temp, bacteria can form in the pipes.

Stooby2

This is from the HSE...

http://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/legionella.htm.

Euphoria1z

65c is too hot, and we have young children, and no mixer on the sink... its a rented house, so Id have to look into getting the sink changed.


would 55c not cut it? or does it have to be 65c?

Euphoria1z

ive found this, so I guess 50c is not good enough


70°C to 80°C Disinfection range


66°C Legionella die within 2 minutes


60°C Legionella die within 32 minutes


55°C Legionella die within 5 to 6 hours

macman

The fact that most of your water is heated on demand from cold means that the risk is fairly minimal anyway.
Turning up the boiler DHW output temp won't maintain the residual water in the pipework at 60C+ anyway. Just run off the residual water in the pipes if you are concerned.

slipthru

macman wrote: »

The fact that most of your water is heated on demand from cold means that the risk is fairly minimal anyway.
Turning up the boiler DHW output temp won't maintain the residual water in the pipework at 60C+ anyway.

This, i've always had my combi boilers set at the same temp as you and never had an issue.