What Size Water Heater Is Best For My Home?

Does your water heater need to be replaced? Hopefully you are replacing it as a proactive measure due to its age and deteriorating performance, not because it burst and has caused a flood on your property. At any rate, there are a few considerations to take into account when choosing the right replacement. Make/model and your home improvement budget are always to be taken into account, but those questions can be answered when you answer this one: what size water heater do I need? Masters Heating & Cooling, Inc. has provided quality sales/service to the Fort Wayne and Indianapolis areas since 1980, so we are confident our licensed plumbers can help you find the perfect size water heater for your home. Here is some useful information to help you choose the right size.

Water Heater Replacement: Facts & Figures

Making sure you purchase and install the right size water heater in your home can be crucial for a couple of reasons. First, you want to make sure you have enough water for your family’s needs and second, if the water heater is too small, it will undergo much more usage and wear/tear than a water heater that is the proper size. That means you will be replacing sooner rather than later. Here are some figures to help you determine the correct size in terms of gallons of water needed for showers and water-based appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines.

• 1-2 people: 23-36 gallon tank
• 2-4 people: 36-46 gallon tank
• 3-5 people: 46-56 gallons tank
• More than five people: add 10 gallons for each additional person

Another measurement to consider is a water heater’s first hour rating (FHR). The FHR tells you how much hot water the tank can produce in an hour and is a great reflection of how efficient the heater is. FHRs range from around 60 gallons per hour for most electric models to more than 90 gallons per hour for high-end gas water heaters. So, how much hot water per hour might you need? Well, here are some examples:

• Bath/Shower: 20 gallons per person
• Dishwasher cycle: 14 gallons
• Washing machine cycle: 30 gallons

So, some simple math can help you figure out a ballpark amount of hot water you may need at certain times of the day/night.

Call Masters Plumbing Professionals

If you are thinking about replacing your water heater before you have to, or if it’s an emergency and you really have to, give Masters a call today. We are a factory authorized dealer for A.O. Smith heaters, which means our professionally-certified plumbers know everything there is to know about water heater installation and service. Our work is also guaranteed to be of utmost quality and professionalism. Remember: Masters gets there faster!