Assisted living facilities provide a comfortable home setting for seniors who require daily assistance with various tasks. Houston commercial plumbing repair can ensure that your facility residents get adequate and safe access to hot water is essential for their well-being.
However, balancing the right temperature and pressure levels for safety can be tricky. Without proper safety considerations, hot water can cause burns or other injuries, especially for elders who may have more delicate skin. Understanding common issues with hot water settings can help you ensure that your facility’s water is safe to use while keeping your residents comfortable.
In this post, we will go over best practices for setting hot water temperatures in assisted living facilities. By prioritizing safety, you can provide a secure environment that allows your residents to access hot water without undue risk. For assistance with your hot water heater or any other plumbing needs, contact our Houston team for commercial plumbing repair.
The Right Hot Water Temperature to Keep Residents Safe
Proper hot water temperature settings are crucial to ensure comfort and safety in any living facility. Setting a water heater to the appropriate temperature not only saves energy and utility costs, but keeps residents safe from scalding hot water and dangerous bacterial growth.
120 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature setting for a water heater. Water temperatures set above 120 degrees not only means more expensive energy bills, but can also be dangerous for those with fragile or sensitive skin, such as the elderly.
Houston has hard water and high levels of dissolved minerals in its water supply, and maintaining a water temperature of 120 degrees helps prevent excess minerals from collecting inside the plumbing system. When you prevent this buildup, you help to reduce unnecessary water heater breakdowns and repairs.
Setting the temperature too low can be extremely dangerous, as it can cause bacterial growth in the hot water tank. Below 120 degrees, bacteria such as legionella can grow quickly. Legionella causes Legionnaires’ Disease, a severe type of pneumonia. This sickness causes lung inflammation, head and muscle aches, shortness of breath, and high fever. For assisted living centers, this is a serious cause for concern. Legionnaires’ Disease is a particularly high risk for older adults or people who are immunocompromised.
If your facility’s hot water heater has been set at a lower temperature, don’t panic. Your commercial plumber can adjust the water heater temperature to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for a set period of time, helping to kill any existing bacteria.
Maintain Safe Hot Water with Houston Commercial Plumbing Repair
Hot water is an essential service in any facility, especially when considering an assisted living facility where the comfort and health of residents are paramount. However, maintaining this service can come at a high cost, and finding cost-saving solutions can be challenging.
Investing in on-demand hot water systems can provide solutions to both cost and performance problems. These systems can provide hot water only when needed, eliminating unnecessary energy waste and reducing costs for the facility and residents. Additionally, a customized on-demand hot water system can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of the facility, ensuring the comfort and well-being of the residents.
When it comes to plumbing issues in assisted living facilities, seek advice and insight from professionals who know the ins and outs of the trade. That’s where Houston commercial plumbers come in. These experts can provide valuable guidance that’s specific to your facility, helping you to identify potential problems before they become major headaches.
Quick, Expert Commercial Plumbing Repair and Service in Houston
Houston commercial plumbing repair is a crucial service that any assisted living facility should prioritize. A lack of regular maintenance can cause a decline in the system’s efficiency, leading to higher energy bills and shorter lifespan. Invest in routine maintenance and checks for your hot water system—call our team to book a service appointment today.
