We use our home’s water heaters every day. From washing dishes, bathing, and doing laundry, a hot water tank is one of the most important appliances for modern living. Choosing the right size hot water tank for your home is essential for ensuring your family has an adequate and efficient hot water supply. An undersized water tank may run out of hot water frequently, whereas an oversized tank may not run efficiently, resulting in higher monthly utility bills.
In this post, you’ll find more information on choosing the right size hot water tank for your home.
What is a Hot Water Tank?
A hot water tank, also known as a water heater, is a large, insulated cylindrical tank designed to hold and heat water. Your home’s water heater is probably located in your basement, but could also be in an attic, crawlspace, or closet. These storage tanks need a fuel source to produce heat that warms the water in your home before bringing it to your taps – usually natural gas or electricity. In a gas water tank, the cold water is heated by a gas flame from the bottom and rises upwards. An electric water heater uses electric rods running vertically through the tank to heat the water from the center, radiating outwards.
Another option that is quickly gaining popularity is the tankless water heater, also known as an on-demand water heater because of its ability to heat water on demand, only when you need it. As the name suggests, tankless water heaters don’t store water in a tank. However, for this post, we will only be discussing traditional storage tank water heaters.
How Do I Choose the Right Size Hot Water Tank?
When determining the correct size water heater for your home, several factors must be considered to ensure it meets your household’s specific needs.
Here are a few factors to keep in mind:
1. Household Size
The number of people living in your home is a primary factor in determining your hot water needs. Of course, a larger family and more occupants will require more hot water to accommodate more laundry, multiple showers, and other daily activities. You can estimate the average size tank capacity (in gallons) based on the number of people in your house:
1 to 2 people – 23 to 36 gallons
2 to 4 people – 36 to 46 gallons
3 to 5 people – 46 to 56 gallons
5 or more people – over 56 gallons (add approximately 10 gallons per additional person)
2. Peak Hour Water Demand
Along with your household size, you’ll also need to consider your household’s peak hour water demand. This is the maximum amount of hot water needed during your family’s busiest hour of the day – for example, when multiple appliances are running or multiple people are showering. Keep in mind your family’s daily habits, and determine which time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening) you will use the most amount of hot water in your home.
To properly size a storage water heater for your home, consider the water heater’s first-hour rating (FHR). The FHR is the number of gallons of hot water the water heater can supply per hour, starting with a tank full of hot water. You can find this number on the EnergyGuide label of the water heater.
Some online calculators can help you determine the FHR that suits your household’s hot water demands. You can expect that on average, each family member may use around 12 gallons of hot water during the peak time of the day, but this can depend on your individual schedules and the ages of your family members.
3. Number of Bathrooms and Appliances in Your Home
Your peak hour water demand will also be affected by the number of bathrooms and the number and size of the appliances in your home. Running the dishwasher and washing machine at the same time can impact your hot water usage. More bathrooms mean more potential for simultaneous showers, significantly increasing the peak hour demand. Again, keep your household’s habits in mind when choosing the right size hot water tank.
4. Physical Size
Of course, your water heater will need to fit into your basement or allotted space so you will need to take the tank’s physical size into account. Some newer models may be wider or taller than their older counterparts because of increased insulation or other energy efficiency improvements. It’s important to take measurements before assuming a new water heater will fit your space!
Your home’s storage water heater provides you and your family with hot water for many daily activities including cooking, cleaning, and bathing. Understanding the factors impacting your household’s daily hot water usage will help you select a water heater that effectively meets your needs.
For hot water tank maintenance and repair services in Winnipeg, contact us at Lynn’s Heating, Cooling, Sewer, and Drain!
Greetings, I’m Dallas. I’m a small business owner living in Winnipeg, MB, Canada and operate Lynn’s HVAC Winnipeg: Heating Cooling Sewer & Drain.
Lynn’s HVAC Winnipeg plumbing, heating, cooling is a small family owned and operated business since 1980. We pride ourselves on quality work completed by licensed technicians. We believe our outstanding customer service sets us apart from other Winnipeg residential plumbing, heating and cooling companies. Experience the difference and be a part of the Lynn’s family! “We provide comfort at your door!”
Services we provide:
– HVAC repair, – AC repair & install, – Furnace repair & install, – Hot water tanks, – Water heaters, – Clogged drains & sewage, – Plumbing
Areas we serve:
Winnipeg, Oakbank, Beausejour, La Salle, Ile Des Chênes, Stonewall, Niverville, Gimli, Ste. Francois Xavier, Landmark, Selkirk, Steinbach, Stony Mountain, Winnipeg Beach, Lorette & More!
