Experts in Norway warn against turning down boilers due to Legionnaires risk
In recent months, a lot of Norwegians have tried a number of energy-saving hacks. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) warns that lowering the boiler could increase the spread of Legionella.
Southern Norway has been plagued by high electricity prices for months, leading most people in Norway to seek out opportunities to cut electricity consumption as much as possible.
However, those who choose to lower the temperature in their water heater to save electricity are playing with fire, as it can lead to Legionella bacteria spreading, the Norwegian Insitute of Public Health (NIPH) warns.
READ MORE: How certain energy-saving measures in Norway could end up costing you more
If the temperature in the water heater is lowered to 50 degrees to save electricity, you can get an even lower temperature in taps and showers. This, in turn, can lead to the growth of Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires disease.
"Turning down the temperature in the water heater is one of the stupidest things people can do. You save little money, and you can get sick," plumber Øyvind Sandanger at Centrum Rør in Stavanger told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK).
The plumber says he has seen many cases where people have lowered the temperature in the water heater.
Legionnaires cases on the rise
After two years of low infection numbers, Legionnaires cases are rising in Norway. So far this year, 62 people have been infected. Last year and the year before, around 40 people contracted the infection.
Legionnaires can lead to death. The disease is a serious type of pneumonia.
"The elderly and people with underlying illnesses have the greatest risk of dying after infection with legionella bacteria," Line Ødegård Angeloff, senior adviser at the NIPH, says.
Legionella bacteria are found naturally around us and are harmless until they enter the lungs. But if they get good growth conditions in water heaters or other water systems, this can pose a significant risk of infection.
High temperature kills bacteria
Legionella bacteria thrive best between 20–50 degrees. Therefore, experts have straightforward advice: Do not decrease the temperature setting on your boiler.
"The recommendation is to keep a steady temperature of 70 degrees in the water heater," Angeloff says.
Comments
See Also
Southern Norway has been plagued by high electricity prices for months, leading most people in Norway to seek out opportunities to cut electricity consumption as much as possible.
However, those who choose to lower the temperature in their water heater to save electricity are playing with fire, as it can lead to Legionella bacteria spreading, the Norwegian Insitute of Public Health (NIPH) warns.
READ MORE: How certain energy-saving measures in Norway could end up costing you more
If the temperature in the water heater is lowered to 50 degrees to save electricity, you can get an even lower temperature in taps and showers. This, in turn, can lead to the growth of Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires disease.
"Turning down the temperature in the water heater is one of the stupidest things people can do. You save little money, and you can get sick," plumber Øyvind Sandanger at Centrum Rør in Stavanger told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK).
The plumber says he has seen many cases where people have lowered the temperature in the water heater.
Legionnaires cases on the rise
After two years of low infection numbers, Legionnaires cases are rising in Norway. So far this year, 62 people have been infected. Last year and the year before, around 40 people contracted the infection.
Legionnaires can lead to death. The disease is a serious type of pneumonia.
"The elderly and people with underlying illnesses have the greatest risk of dying after infection with legionella bacteria," Line Ødegård Angeloff, senior adviser at the NIPH, says.
Legionella bacteria are found naturally around us and are harmless until they enter the lungs. But if they get good growth conditions in water heaters or other water systems, this can pose a significant risk of infection.
High temperature kills bacteria
Legionella bacteria thrive best between 20–50 degrees. Therefore, experts have straightforward advice: Do not decrease the temperature setting on your boiler.
"The recommendation is to keep a steady temperature of 70 degrees in the water heater," Angeloff says.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.