When it comes to buying a water heater for your home, size matters. The number of people living in your home can give you a ballpark figure on what size unit to purchase. One to two people will only require a 30-40 gallon tank. Two to three people will need a 40-50 gallon tank. As the family grows a 50-80 gallon tank will be needed and five or more members require an 80-gallon tank.
If you have a large family, you might find yourself with more than one person showering at the same time or running loads of laundry at once. This is why it’s important to consider your household’s peak hot water demand, over a one-hour period. Each family has its own unique water habits. Will two people be showering in the morning while a load of wash is being done? There are useful charts available that list the number of gallons of water needed for particular activities.
Water heaters have a rating system known as First Hour Rating. A First Hour rating indicates the total number of gallons of warm water the heater is able to produce over a span of one hour. It is imperative that the water heater you are purchasing has a higher number of gallons produced than the highest demand from your family members. This ensures that everyone in your home has adequate hot water at all times.
For a large family, you need to consider the size of your hot water heater. A standard tank hot water heating system keeps a set amount of water heated at all times. You may decide to buy a tankless water heater that heats water on demand and requires no tank. Tankless systems require a different set of considerations than standard tanked systems.
When choosing a tankless system, your flow rate or the maximum number of gallons used in a home at one time is important to consider. In addition, the temperature rise needs to be calculated. This is the number of degrees your water needs to be heated from when it enters your home to reach your desired temperature at the faucet. For example, if the water entering your home is 57 degrees and your desired water temperature is 120 degrees, your temperature rise is 63 degrees. Knowing these numbers you can determine what size heater will best serve your family.
An under-sized water heater will be inefficient, time consuming, and costly. A heater that is too large for your family’s needs can also waste energy and your hard-earned dollars too. It is important to educate yourself before you choose a new water heater. When done correctly, your home will function efficiently and your family will appreciate the peace of mind knowing your hot water is always there when you need it!
Need help choosing the perfect water heater for your home? Contact us today! We are water heater specialists in Vista, North County.
