clogged drains

Choosing the Right Water Heater Size for Your Household

Is bigger always better? When it comes to your water heater size, that’s not necessarily the case. Installing a tank that is too small will cause you to run out of water before you finish showering. On the other hand, a tank that is too big will make you waste money on hot water that you never use.How do you know that your water heater replacement is the right size? When you consider certain factors and work with an experienced plumber, you can find the right size to support your home.

Household Size

One way to estimate a good water heater size for your home is by thinking about the number of people living there. The more people using the fixtures, the more hot water you’ll need. You can estimate your needs based on the following:​

  • 1 or 2 People: 40 to 50 gallon tank or tankless
  • 2 to 4 People: 50 to 75 gallon tank or tankless
  • 3 to 5 People: 50 to 75 gallon tank or tankless
  • Five or More: 75 gallon tank or tankless

A 50 gallon tank should provide enough hot water for an average family of four. However, that shouldn’t be the only factor you consider. Add 10 gallons to your tank size for homes with over five residents to ensure you have an adequate water heater size. If you have a soaking tub or whirlpool that is often used, a tankless is really the best option, possibly 2 depending on the number of people in the home.

Peak Hour Demand

You can give your water heater quite the workout during the busiest time of the day. This period is the peak hour demand and refers to the maximum amount of hot water used. To estimate this, think about your family’s morning or evening routine. It likely includes:

  • Dishwashing
  • Showers
  • Hair washing
  • Hand washing of dishes
  • Loads of laundry in the washing machine

Each of these activities uses a specific number of gallons per minute. When you know how much you consume during these peak times, you can pick your home's best water heater size.

First Hour Rating (FHR) for Tanked Heaters

The FHR tells you how many gallons of water a tank can supply hourly when fully heated. This number indicates the appliance’s efficiency or how quickly it can reheat the water.The FHR will give you an idea of what it can handle at a peak usage hour. You will need an FHR that meets or exceeds the number of gallons of hot water required for everything that can be done simultaneously throughout the day.

Dump Load

As it relates to a tank’s capacity, another consideration is what is called dump load. That means that the water is leaving the tank at such a rapid speed, (filling a large tub with a high flow faucet), that the tank can not recover. In cases of a Dump Load, a 50 gallon water heater can only supply 35 gallons of usable hot water. Even a 75 gallon tank can only supply 52 gallons of usable hot water. Neither would fill any tub.

Energy Efficiency

Choosing the correct size tank is about more than just meeting your needs. It also concerns energy efficiency. Oversized tanks will cause your energy bills to be unnecessarily high, costing you more money.Undersized tanks must work harder to meet your demands. This extra effort reduces its lifespan and efficiency, requiring you to pay for water heater services more frequently. Maybe worst of all is that running a tank out of hot water can cause extreme condensation and can also DRASTICALLY reduce the tank’s life expectancy.

Professional Plumbing Service for Your Water Heater Installation

Finding the correct tank size is crucial for meeting your home’s needs, but it is also vital that the right professionals provide installation and maintenance services. To ensure you get the best service and advice, consult the professionals at Baethke Plumbing.Our experts can help you find the right size water heater to prevent disruptions to your daily routine. Contact us to speak with a team member and learn more about our services.