What size water heater do I need for my home?
When replacing your home’s hot water heater, choosing the right size is imperative. The size of your hot water heater impacts the cost of the unit, your access to heated water and even energy costs. With tank sizes that range from 30 to 75 gallons, however, how do you know what size of unit is best for your home? Four key factors should be reviewed before making your selection. These include the size of your household, your hot water needs, the first hour rating and the available space in your home.
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The Size of Your Household
Each person in your home has specific needs for hot water. These include bathing, cleaning, washing laundry and more. Generally, a 40-gallon water heater is suitable for a family of four, and a 30-gallon unit will suffice for one or two people. While this estimation will get you in the ballpark, you should consider other factors as well to more accurately determine the size you need.
Your Hot Water Needs
When estimating your needs by the number of people in your home, you are not taking into account things like how often you run the dishwasher or washing machine. Everything from how frequently you wash your hands to how long your showers are requires attention. For example, the average 15-minute shower uses roughly 20 gallons of water. Do you bathe twice a day or every other day? Do you enjoy or require longer showers? These factors could skew your estimate. In addition, review how much water your dishwasher and washing machine use per cycle. Then, consider how frequently you use these appliances. An average dishwasher uses 14 gallons of heated water, and a washing machine uses 30 gallons on average.
The First Hour Rating (FHR)
Every hot water heater has a first hour rating. The FHR describes how much time is required to reheat water in the tank. You may not want to time showers around loads of laundry and washing dishes. The FHR helps you determine how much hot water you have access to over the course of an hour. For example, a water heater with an FHR of 80 produces 80 gallons of heated water per hour.
The Available Space
While water heaters are generally cylindrical units, you cannot assume that your new water heater will have the same dimensions as your old unit. Measure the available space, and review the dimensions of the top water heaters that you are considering. This important factor can help you finalize your selection after the other factors have been taken into consideration. Learn the difference between tank and tankless water heaters that you can install in your home or property.
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, our experts in Florida are available to answer your questions and aid in your selection. With fast installation service available, we can quickly complete the project and get hot water flowing through your pipes. Contact us today to schedule service with our plumbers.