According to most dermatologists, the ideal shower temperature is anywhere between 98°F (37°C) and 104°F (40°C)—and no more than 105 °F (41°C). Rinsing under lukewarm water allows you to stay comfortable and maintain your body temperature while reaping all the benefits of both hot and cold showers.
"Hot water is typically described as approximately 110 to 140 degrees," says Channa Ovits, M.D., FAAD, a Westchester, New York-based board-certified dermatologist at Westmed Medical Group, a Summit Health Company. But in terms of a shower, you should never tiptoe over 120 degrees, due to the chance of a burn injury.
There's no absolute rule for how hot a shower should be, but most doctors advise keeping water below 110 degrees. Too hot and you risk stripping the skin of its natural oils leading to dry, itchy skin.
WHAT SHOWER TEMPERATURE WE RECOMMEND? To experience a comforting but also safe bath, Rheem recommends setting your water heater temperature at an average of 98°F (37°C) to 101°F (38.3°C) or no more than 105 °F (41°C). So now you know what is the ideal temperature to shower in.
Water Heater Temperature Recommendations
The Department of Energy and water heater manufacturers have different opinions. 120 degrees Fahrenheit is the safety recommendation against scalding, but 140° is the common default setting.
The maximum Department of Energy recommended water heater temperature setting you should never exceed is 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The lowest recommended setting should never be below 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you notice signs of overheating like scalding water, a leaking pressure relief valve, unusual sounds, rusty water, and climbing energy bills, you need to take swift action to repair your water heater before it causes more problems.
So, What Is the Ideal Shower Temperature? “Luke warm,” says Anolik. Many experts agree the tepid temperature feels slightly warm compared to your body temperature, and falls somewhere between 98º and 105º F.
At 150 degrees, which is definitely way too hot, it takes only seconds for the water to cause third-degree burns.
When I was interviewing Omaha dermatologist Joel Schlessinger for an article recently, he mentioned that there's one easy way to know if your shower water's too hot: Your skin looks red afterward.
An average shower temperature of around 112℉ seems to be the sweet spot for most people. Broadly speaking, experts believe that a lukewarm temperature of about 98 to 105℉ is a good starting point.
Making sure your water heater is always set to at least 120 degrees minimizes this risk, as the water should be hot enough to kill any bacteria. Even though most units will go up to 160 degrees, you really shouldn't ever set the temperature higher than 140 degrees in order to reduce the risk of scalding.
Hot Water Baths
For those who relish a hot water bath to unwind, dermatologists suggest a peak temperature of around 44.4°C (112°F). However, it is advised not to exceed 48.9°C (120°F), as extreme temperatures can lead to skin irritation or even burns.
Many accidents involving scalding have been fatal and have mainly occurred during bathing or showering. Where vulnerable people are at risk from scalding during whole body immersion, water temperatures must not exceed 44°C. Any precautions taken should not introduce other risks, for example from legionella bacteria.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges all users to lower their water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
They found that this upper-temperature limit lies between 40℃ (104F) and 50℃ (122F) when the human body stops functioning optimally.
Although some manufacturers set water heater thermostats at 140ºF, most households usually only require them to be set at 120ºF, which also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes. Water heated at 140ºF also poses a safety hazard—scalding.
Yes, it's very bad to turn your water heater all the way up. To do so will reduce its life, increase your electricity bill and could possibly cause scalding—particularly if you have young children or an elderly relative living in your home.
To help prevent bacteria growth, the ASSE recommends keeping the water in your water heater tank at about 135 - 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Optimal Shower Temperature
Hot water is typically described as somewhere between 110°F and 140°F. However, you should never turn your shower or bath water anywhere near 120°F due to the risk of a serious burn injury. Cold water is generally defined as 60°F to 80°F, though it can be even lower.
Water heaters show several signs of going bad, including lack of hot water, temperature fluctuations, decreased water pressure, strange noises, rotten egg smell, visible leaks, rusty or discolored water, and increased energy bills. If your water heater is over 10 years old, it may be time to consider a replacement.
Water temperatures above 120 degrees increase the risk of scalding. Exposure to hot water above 140 degrees can cause severe scalding and skin damage. These hot water temperatures are especially hazardous to children and older people, who may have slower reaction times to scalding water.
A water heater thermostat controls the temperature of your water heater's output, and a faulty thermostat is often the culprit when your tap or shower suddenly produces scalding hot waterway above the desired water temperature. Whether water heater thermostats are broken or just set incorrectly, they need attention.