Hot Water Temperatures: 60 at the Tank, 50 at the Tap
Why stored hot water has to be kept hot, and how a tempering valve protects your family from scalds.
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Why the tank stays hot
Stored hot water needs to be kept at 60 degrees or more to control the growth of Legionella and other bacteria. That applies to gas, electric, solar and heat pump storage systems. Turning the thermostat down to save energy is not recommended for a storage tank.
Why the tap is cooler
Water at 60 degrees can cause a serious scald in about a second, especially for young children and older people. For that reason, new and replacement hot water installations in Victoria must deliver water to bathrooms at no more than 50 degrees. A tempering valve near the hot water unit mixes hot and cold water to get the right temperature. Kitchens and laundries can receive hotter water.
Is 50 degrees hot enough?
For showers and baths, yes. Most people shower at around 38 to 42 degrees. Water at 50 degrees at the tap is comfortable once mixed with cold, and much safer.
Signs your tempering valve needs attention
If your shower is hotter or colder than it used to be, or the temperature changes while you are in it, the tempering valve may be worn or blocked. They should be checked regularly and replaced when they fail.
Continuous-flow systems
Continuous-flow units can be set to deliver water at a safe temperature directly, with no tank to store hot water. We set them correctly when installed.
Ferntree Gully ground and pipes
Ferntree Gully's ground changes as you climb towards the ranges: clay and silty loam on the lower streets, rockier, steeper ground near Upper Ferntree Gully and The Basin. Most homes built before the 1980s were connected with earthenware sewer pipe, and on a slope every joint moves a little over the years and lets roots in. Water service lines from the meter are often long and run through rocky ground or under established gardens. Stormwater has to be carried down the block and away from the house. We use cameras, locators and pressure tests to see what is happening before we dig.
Related services
- Emergency plumbing
- Blocked drains
- Hot water
- Gas fitting
- Hot water replacement
- Heat pumps
- Leaking taps
- Burst pipes
- Toilets
- Leak detection
- Pipe relining
- Stormwater
- Roof and gutters
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens and laundries
- Backflow and maintenance
More guides
Questions on this topic
What is the legal temperature for hot water in Australia?
Stored hot water should be kept at 60 degrees or more, and new installations must deliver no more than 50 degrees to bathrooms in Victoria.
Can I turn my hot water tank down to 50?
It is not recommended for storage systems, because bacteria can grow below 60 degrees. A tempering valve is the safe way to reduce the temperature at the tap.
Why foothills homes call us
Foothills know-how
Sloping blocks, big gums, clay sewers and gas heaters from the 1970s: this is the plumbing we work on every day.
Price first, work second
A licensed plumber finds the fault and agrees a fixed price with you before anything starts.
Camera, not guesswork
Drain cameras, pressure gauges and leak detection tools show the real cause before we dig or replace.
Respect for your home
Boot covers, drop sheets, old parts taken away and the job tested with you.
Get a free quote
Tell us what is going on and a licensed Ferntree Gully plumber will call you back.
How quoting works
Ring 03 7036 4101 or send the form with a short note, and a photo if you have one. A licensed plumber calls you back, asks a few questions and books a time. On site they find the cause, explain your options and give you a fixed price. Nothing starts until you agree, and larger jobs get a free written quote.
Need a plumber in Ferntree Gully?
Ferntree Gully, Upper Ferntree Gully, Boronia, Rowville, Knoxfield and the Knox foothills. Quote-only: the plumber finds the fault, then gives you a fixed price.