Water Temperature Setting on Vaillant ecoTEC boiler

sbrad2

Hi,


We have recently moved into a house with a Vaillant ecoTec pro 28 boiler and have a pressurised water tank. I would like to set the hot water temperature to the right level for us whilst at the same time trying to save money on my energy bills. I have read online that you should set it to a minimum of 60C to avoid the risk of contracting legionnaires disease but we then find that the water in our shower, which has a thermostatic mixer shower valve, is too hot, even on the lowest setting. Is it therefore safe for me to reduce the water temperature on the boiler or do I need to get the thermostatic shower valve adjusted? Any advice anyone is able to give is greatly appreciated.

System

sbrad2 wrote: »

Hi,


We have recently moved into a house with a Vaillant ecoTec pro 28 boiler and have a pressurised water tank. I would like to set the hot water temperature to the right level for us whilst at the same time trying to save money on my energy bills. I have read online that you should set it to a minimum of 60C to avoid the risk of contracting legionnaires disease but we then find that the water in our shower, which has a thermostatic mixer shower valve, is too hot, even on the lowest setting. Is it therefore safe for me to reduce the water temperature on the boiler or do I need to get the thermostatic shower valve adjusted? Any advice anyone is able to give is greatly appreciated.

I have my HW set to 60C. My two Bristan thermostatic showers are limited by the manufacturer to 47C max temperature. I suggest that you try and find a copy of the installer guide online for your particular shower. Adjusting my Bristan showers is a 5 minute job which requires nothing more than removing the shower lever/handle; turning on the shower and then turning the cartridge spindle. For example, see page 24:

http://www.free-instruction-manuals.com/pdf/pa_1250353.pdf

If that doesn't work, then you may need a plumber to check the inline filters for blockage and, worst case, the unvented cylinder PRV. This valve supplies cold water to your cylinder and to your showers. In theory, it should be the same pressure (3 Bars?) Any work on an unvented cylinder requires a plumber with a G3 annotation on the GSR.

Edit:

PS: If you are going to take the handle off your shower then put a facecloth over the drain hole. I have been there and spare screws are not easy to find1

matelodave

It's generally accepted that the tank temperature should be raised to 60c occasionally to protect against legionnaire's disease.

We keep our hot water at 45c and the heating system automatically boosts it to 60c once a week for twenty minutes to sterilise the tank.

As Hengus says, most mixer valves have a detent or limit button which has to be pressed to get the temperature above a preset limit. Most can be adjusted to a lower limit if you've got kids or vulnerable people in the house.