There’s nothing more comfortable than a refreshing hot shower after a long day of work or a good workout at the gym. Sometimes, people tend to be a little bit too enthusiastic about the heat of their water and overdo the temperature settings. As a result, they turn their comfortable and pleasurable hot showers into showers of pain for a few seconds. In worst cases, people suffer from burns due to the scalding hot water from the shower. So, to avoid this nightmare, you need to know how to set your water temperature right.
How do you know what the best temperature for your water heater is?
A balance between safety and comfort
Water heaters come with a default setting, and individuals often adjust it according to their preferences. If you have a storage hot water system, the ideal temperature should be between 60–65°C to kill the bacteria that thrive in hot water. In fact, regulations—like those outlined in the Plumbing Code of Australia—require that all types of hot water systems (including electric, solar, gas, and heat pump models) maintain a storage temperature of at least 60°C. This critical threshold is set to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, such as Legionella, which can cause serious health issues if allowed to multiply in your water supply.
Of course, while safety is essential, comfort is too. The challenge is finding a water heater setting that keeps your showers safe from bacteria but also pleasant enough to enjoy—without risking scalding burns or sacrificing that relaxing end-of-day soak.
What temperature should my hot water system be set to according to Australian regulations?
If you’re living Down Under, you can’t just pick any temperature for your hot water system and call it a day. According to the Plumbing Code of Australia, hot water—regardless if it’s heated by electricity, gas, solar, or a heat pump—must be stored at a minimum of 60°C. This isn’t an arbitrary number; it’s aimed at stopping dangerous bacteria (think Legionella) from making themselves at home in your pipes.
So, even if you have a preference for milder showers, it’s essential that the storage temperature meets this safety standard before you even think about dialing things down at the tap. Keep this regulation in mind—staying safe sometimes means setting your system hotter than you might expect.
What is Legionella and why does it matter for hot water systems?
Now, before you breathe a sigh of relief about your steamy sanctuary, there’s a little bug we need to talk about—Legionella. This is a type of bacteria that loves to camp out in warm, stagnant water, like what you might find lingering in a poorly maintained hot water tank. If it gets a foothold, it can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a nasty kind of pneumonia that no one wants as a shower souvenir.
This isn’t something you can pick up from your mate or a handshake at the soccer club—it travels via tiny droplets, often from things like showers, spas, or even cooling towers. Why the fuss? People over 50, smokers, and anyone with a weakened immune system are especially at risk.
So, how does this tie back to your water heater? The Plumbing Code of Australia demands that hot water systems (electric, gas, solar, you name it) keep stored water at a minimum of 60°C. This temperature is hot enough to kill off Legionella and keep your household safe. Remember, it’s all about striking that balance: hot enough to stop bacteria, but not so hot you turn your morning shower into a scorch trial.
Why kitchens and laundries call for hotter water
You might be wondering why places like the kitchen sink or laundry room sometimes demand cranking up the heat. It’s not just about stubborn lasagna pans or muddy socks. Dishwashers and washing machines—especially older models—often perform best with hotter water, around 60°C. This higher temperature helps dissolve grease, break down tough stains, and ensures dishes and clothes get properly sanitized. So, while you might prefer a gentler touch in the shower, your appliances might appreciate a little more sizzle to do their job right. Heat loss will then occur as it passes through the different valves before making its way into the shower outlet.
What’s a tempering valve—and do you really need one at home?
If you’ve ever worried about stepping into a shower that’s a little too enthusiastic on the “boil alive” setting, you’re not alone. That’s where a handy little device called a tempering valve comes in. Think of it as a referee for your water temperature, constantly making sure the hot water coming out of your taps is comfortable—and, more importantly, safe for everyone in the household.
A tempering valve blends the hot water from your storage tank with cold water before it reaches your outlets, ensuring what you actually get at the tap is at a safe, pre-set temperature (usually around 50°C for showers and sinks). This is especially important in places like bathrooms, where a sudden burst of scalding hot water can turn a relaxing shower into an episode of “Survivor: Bathroom Edition.”
So, do you need one? In most newer homes or during water heater installations, a tempering valve is now part of the standard setup—largely to comply with modern safety regulations. If your home is a bit older or you’re unsure, it’s wise to have your plumbing checked. Not only does it give you peace of mind, but it’s also an easy way to make sure the water coming out of your shower is soothing, not scalding. The temperature from the shower should be around a tolerable level of 50°C or slightly lower. However, different people have different tolerances for heat, and some can tolerate temperatures in excess of 50°C. Still, keep in mind that anything about 60°C can cause third degree burns in less than 6 seconds regardless of heat tolerance.
Special temperature recommendations for certain facilities
While a general household can safely set their hot water storage at 60°C (and ensure it cools to around 50°C for actual use), specific facilities need to be even more cautious. This is especially true where vulnerable individuals—children, the elderly, or those with disabilities—are involved.
For example, regulations require that early childhood centres and schools keep their hot water temperature to a maximum of 45°C at outlets that can be accessed by children. Similarly, nursing homes and care facilities for the sick or elderly must also limit hot water to 45°C. This lower threshold adds an extra layer of protection, minimizing the risk of accidental burns where users may not be able to react quickly to scalding water.
These guidelines typically involve installing a thermostatic mixing valve, which blends hot and cold water to maintain a consistent, safer temperature at the tap.
Finding the best temperature for your water heater
A lot of people are concerned over the fact that some water heater thermostat dials might be inaccurate, especially those models with no numbers on the notches. To make sure your water is not hot enough to scald you but hot enough to give you a relaxing bath or shower, you need to not depend totally on those dial markings .
If you want to find the best temperature on an unnumbered dial, use a thermometer to check the temperature of the water at various settings. Go to the tap or water source closest to the water heater and let it run for at least three minutes. Fill a glass or bowl with water from said source or tap and check the temperature with the thermometer. If it’s over 50 degrees, adjust the dial and wait for at least three hours before you can check again. Perform these steps over and over again until you reach that sweet 50-degree spot. When you do find that best temperature for your water heater, put a mark on the notch with permanent marker so you won’t have to repeat the above steps for some time.
Once you get that best temperature for your water heater, you’ll be keeping yourself and your family safe from accidental scalding, and you’ll save money on your electric bills at the same time.
