Properly sizing your home’s water heater is an important decision that will impact your family’s comfort and convenience for years. An undersized tank cannot keep up with your hot water needs, leaving you with showers that are too short or other tasks cut short. An oversized heater wastes energy by constantly reheating more water than needed.
This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when determining the right size water heater for your specific household’s usage patterns and demands. We’ll discuss how to calculate your average daily hot water use, the effect of household size and extra appliances, the role of recovery rate, and size recommendations based on common household profiles.
Following the simple steps outlined here, you can feel confident you’ve selected a tank that will satisfy your family’s daily hot water requirements without going overboard.
Determine Your Household’s Daily Hot Water Usage
The first step to determine your household’s daily hot water usage is to carefully track usage over the course of a week or two. Have each family member estimate their average shower length and frequency and note times spent on other tasks like washing dishes, laundry, cleaning, and other hot water uses.
Be sure to record if water usage fluctuates between weekdays and weekends. Calculate that an average shower uses approximately 75 litres (20 gallons), then add up estimates for all daily showers and other uses to estimate your total daily water usage in litres. Also, factor in a buffer for unexpected periods of higher usage. Once you have collected at least a week of recorded water use data, calculate your average daily usage in litres or gallons. This will provide the baseline for choosing a tank with the suitable capacity to meet your daily household needs.
Consider Your Water Heater’s Recovery Rate
In addition to daily water usage, you’ll also want to consider your water heater’s recovery rate. The recovery rate refers to how quickly the tank can reheat after large hot water draws.
This is important because you’ll want a heater to keep up with hot water demands, even during peak usage times. Gas water heaters typically have very high recovery rates since gas heating elements can reheat water rapidly.
Electric heaters have moderate recovery rates, while heat pump or hybrid models may recover slower. It’s good to match your water heater’s recovery ability to your household’s typical peak demand periods. A faster recovery rate ensures adequate hot water supply if multiple showers are taken back-to-back or other large-draw appliances are used simultaneously.
Common Sizing Guidelines Based on Household Size
To help narrow down your water heater size options based on household demographics, here are some general sizing guidelines used by plumbers and installers:
1-2 Person Home
A tank with a capacity of 110-150 litres (30 or 40 gallons) is typically sufficient for small homes with 1-2 occupants. The recovery rate of a 110-150 litre tank is usually enough to meet the daily water needs, considering that showers are typically spaced out. During peak morning or evening periods, it is likely that only one shower will be taken.
3-4 Person Home
Most households with 3 to 4 occupants find a 150-190 litre (40 to 50-gallon) tank that is properly sized for their needs. In situations with multiple showers during high usage times, the larger capacity and recovery rate offered by a 190-litre (50-gallon) model is required to meet the household’s water demands effectively.
5 Person Home
For larger families with five or more members, it is generally recommended to have a tank with a capacity of 190 litres (50 gallons) or greater. With the potential for multiple showers and simultaneous appliance usage, the higher capacity and recovery rate provided by a 227-litre (60-gallon) tank ensures a continuous hot water supply during peak demand periods.
These guidelines provide baseline capacity suggestions based on typical household compositions. Your needs may vary depending on factors like shower frequency or additional appliances. Be sure to also factor in your detailed usage data from tracking.
Factors That May Require an Upsized Tank
Several household-specific factors beyond occupant number may require selecting a larger capacity water heater than typical guidelines suggest. Those with unexpectedly high daily usage, like multiple lengthy showers or loads of laundry and dishes done simultaneously, will benefit from a tank with extra storage.
Homes with additional gas or electric water-using appliances like an on-demand hot water recirculation system, water softener, or whole-home humidifier will also increase hot water demands. Likewise, households living in very cold climates where exterior faucets are used frequently in winter may see peak hot water needs that warrant upsizing the tank.
Pools or hot tubs filled with heated water can also almost double daily use. Tracking details on any unique features of your home and daily routines will help ensure you don’t undersize the tank for your family’s actual requirements.
Find the Right-Sized Water Heater for Your Family’s Needs
Properly sizing your home’s water heater requires assessing your household’s unique hot water usage patterns and needs. You can determine the optimal tank capacity by tracking usage details and considering elements like family size, fixtures, climate and peak periods. Selecting a water heater that precisely matches your demands ensures endless hot water comfort without going overboard.
If you need any assistance interpreting your usage data or have additional questions about choosing the right size, please contact the experts at Service First Plumbing. Our team can review your specifics and provide a knowledgeable recommendation. We aim to leave all customers feeling fully confident in their new water heater selection.
FAQs About Water Heater Sizing
Is it better to oversize or undersize my water heater?
It’s generally better to slightly undersize rather than oversize your water heater. An oversized tank wastes energy by constantly reheating more water than needed. An undersized heater risks failing to meet demand, but proper sizing based on your usage should prevent this issue.
Should I size my water heater for summer or winter usage?
You’ll want to size your tank based on winter demands, as this is typically when hot water use is highest. Showers may be longer in colder months vs summer. Account for any additional uses like outdoor faucets or humidifiers that increase winter loads. This will ensure adequate hot water year-round.
Is a 190-litre (50-gallon) tank sufficient to meet the hot water needs of my entire home?
In many cases, a 190-litre tank can adequately serve the requirements of an average household with 3-4 occupants. However, larger homes or those with above-average water usage may benefit from a larger capacity, such as a 227-litre (60-gallon) tank. It is advisable to monitor your water usage closely. If there are instances where multiple showers or appliances are used simultaneously, particularly during peak times, a larger tank might help distribute the demand more effectively.
