What Size Water Heater Do You Need?

Ensuring you choose the right size tank is imperative when it is time to install a new water heater. With careful planning, you can choose a heater that will provide for all of your household's hot water needs without needing to worry about running out again.

Household Size

The first question to answer is how many people use water in your home on average. A simple equation to convert household size to hot water tank size is to multiply the number of household members by 10. So for a family of four, you need at least a 40 gallon hot water heater. Of course, you may need to increase the size of the tank if you have frequent guests or if there are other reasons that lead to the use of additional hot water.

Average Usage

You can determine your average water usage from your water bill. Most municipal water companies break down your monthly bill into daily average usage. Of course, this number will include all water use, not just hot water. It can be helpful to refer to a winter bill for average usage, since it won't include any outdoor irrigation water so it will be easier to estimate how much was actually hot water. You can also use average hot water usage per appliance to estimate this value. For example, a low-flow shower uses about 1 gallon of water per minute, while a dishwasher or washing machine uses 5 to 7 gallons per cycle.

Peak Usage Times

You may only use 40 gallons of hot water a day, but that doesn't mean you can get away with a smaller tank. If you use all that hot water at the same time, perhaps you tend to shower while the morning dishes are in the dishwasher, you may empty the tank before you finish your relaxing shower. Estimate how much water you use during peak times, such as in the evening when everyone is home or in the morning while preparing for the day. Then, make sure the tank you choose holds enough hot water to deliver during this peak time.

Installation Constraints

Finally, consider any installation constraints. An 80 gallon tank may seem ideal if you never want to run out of hot water, but it will be a hassle to install if the tank niche in your utility room only fits a 60 gallon tank. You may need to combine a new hot water heater with new water usage habits or water conserving appliances.

Contact a water heater installation service for more help.

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