What temperature should I set my water heater? (Safe water temperature ranges)

In this video I'm going to be covering both the highs and lows of water temperatures. It can be dangerous for your water heater to be too hot and too low. We'll also show you how to manually adjust your water heater temperature yourself.
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[@Sylvan_dB]

Mine is currently at 170F, with a 20F band. This means the burner shuts off at 180F and usually the temperature climbs about 5F taking the residual heat out of the heat exchanger. I normally run 140F at the heater but it also provides space heat and I need additional capacity in the winter. Of course I do have a honeywell mixing valve feeding the house.

[@philochristos]

This is the first I've heard about legionella. I'm turning my water heater up!

[@wolfpackflt670]

It's a very rare disease at about 20k reported cases per year. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless your over 50 years old but still very rare.

[@Ken-uj5wr]

Better safe then sorry. I wouldn't want to be part of the very rare people who get it.

[@Smokey66s]

Do cold water pipes breed bacteria?

[@conversationswithadrianne]

The education about bacteria is very helpful.

[@TheCorkon]

140 helps me take longer showers, so I always go with that

[@AaronCo2]

What about cold water pipes?! Nah jk. Spizawk said chlorinated water, and Maybe you're right if the pipes sit stagnant for a long time.

[@SpizawkDaKizowz]

I thought chlorinated water effectively takes care of pathogenic bacteria.

[@PEXUniverse]

This is true, especially with room temperature tap water, in the US we have been chlorinating our tap water for almost 100 years to prevent pathogenic bacteria. However specifically when heating water it can make it difficult to maintain the concentration of disinfectant necessary to prevent pathogens, primarily legionella.
As I said in the video it is not generally a massive concern, but health officials do consider higher temperatures safer.

[@satinsangel1688]

So not 120 and not 140, so I'll do 130? 😄

[@kayo5291]

I really have this question. All the talk (here and other videos) is of 120 vs 140. Is 130 a good option?

[@geoffreywilliams7705]

120 is not hot enough . . .

[@karmendimas5274]

for what?