Eli5: why is tap water cold?
In: Engineering
I live in the tropics and the cables are located above ground. Depending on the time of day, the tap water can be hot af. Sometimes even too hot to shower.
Most tap water is around 55º F as that is the natural underground temperature. However, there can be a slight warming or cooling depending on the season (extremes) and travel from from treatment facility to tap — but usually not more than a degree or two. When water reaches 39.2 F, that is its densest point – and a phenomenon called “turnover” can occur. Turnover is when the top water cools and sinks creating frazil ice (kind of like a slush consistency) — so those of us who live in *very* cold winter climates can notice very cold water from the top during these times.
Tap water comes into your home through pipes in the ground. The temperature in the ground is lower than room temperature, so your water is cold.
Ground water is colder than typical room temperature.
There are maps of ground temperature in different regions.
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