[Greenbuilding] Opinions on electric tankless HW heaters?

[Paul Eldridge]

Hi Kat,

According to the Hydro-Quebec source previously cited, "[e]ven at 60 °C 
- the setting on most electric water heaters - an estimated 25% of all 
water heaters are contaminated by legionella bacteria."  The problem 
with electric water heaters is that the temperature at the bottom of the 
tank is generally several degrees cooler than the set temperature.  Gas 
and oil-fired water heaters don't share this problem because water is 
heated at the bottom of the cylinder, not part way up the side wall.

Cheers,
Paul

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72 C!  That seems like super-overkill.  Supposedly they die instantly at 60 C?

-Kat

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