5 ms·

Slightly smarter timers could fix this problem. Raise the tank to 140+ once a day, probably at 4am, and work that into the energy storage regime...

by ip26 5y ago

cartoonworld 5y ago
Another issue arises in that the bacteria can propagate throughout the system, repopulating the heater. Some have checkvalves, but I'm no plumber. I urge great caution, although I'd wager you'd be fine, so long as you remain healthy.
- Scoundreller 5y ago
  Per wikipedia, it can form biofilms on pipes that will slough off. But the heater is still hitting high enough temperatures to kill it.
  - cartoonworld 5y ago
    Yeah, but only if it is flowing across the deposit. If you do the "bare minimum 140f once a day" method, you have to flush all the hot lines with this for long enough to kill it. All this also presumes correct thermostatic calibration and generally even temperature distribution in a system planned to age with minimal maintenance. The process isn't instant, you also have to ensure the hot water hits all the lines down the way at the appropriate hold temp and, well, hold it there for long enough. These outbreaks still occur today. Not a huge problem, but why design such a well controlled hazard back into your potable water?
    - Scoundreller 5y ago
      Well, energy savings. Where I am, you’re not allowed to deliver water to fixtures higher than 49C (120F), to reduce scalding risk. and this is usually accomplished through a mixing valve at the hot water tank outlet. 11m people live here, haven’t heard of any evidence of increased legionnaires: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r04023 https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r04023
      - cartoonworld 5y ago
        It's controlled in the water heater by maintaining appropriate temperatures. No need to sanitize the fixtures when there is no growth in the tank. All that other stuff assumes a minmax hot cycle in a waterheater tank. On demand heaters work fine too.

Slightly smarter timers could fix this problem. Raise the tank to 140+ once a day, probably at 4am, and work that into the energy storage regime...

by ip26 5y ago

Slightly smarter timers could fix this problem. Raise the tank to 140+ once a day, probably at 4am, and work that into the energy storage regime...

cartoonworld 5y ago

Another issue arises in that the bacteria can propagate throughout the system, repopulating the heater. Some have checkvalves, but I'm no plumber. I urge great caution, although I'd wager you'd be fine, so long as you remain healthy.

Scoundreller 5y ago
Per wikipedia, it can form biofilms on pipes that will slough off. But the heater is still hitting high enough temperatures to kill it.
- cartoonworld 5y ago
  Yeah, but only if it is flowing across the deposit. If you do the "bare minimum 140f once a day" method, you have to flush all the hot lines with this for long enough to kill it. All this also presumes correct thermostatic calibration and generally even temperature distribution in a system planned to age with minimal maintenance. The process isn't instant, you also have to ensure the hot water hits all the lines down the way at the appropriate hold temp and, well, hold it there for long enough. These outbreaks still occur today. Not a huge problem, but why design such a well controlled hazard back into your potable water?
  - Scoundreller 5y ago
    Well, energy savings. Where I am, you’re not allowed to deliver water to fixtures higher than 49C (120F), to reduce scalding risk. and this is usually accomplished through a mixing valve at the hot water tank outlet. 11m people live here, haven’t heard of any evidence of increased legionnaires: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r04023 https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r04023
    - cartoonworld 5y ago
      It's controlled in the water heater by maintaining appropriate temperatures. No need to sanitize the fixtures when there is no growth in the tank. All that other stuff assumes a minmax hot cycle in a waterheater tank. On demand heaters work fine too.