Can you use one water heater in two bathrooms?

Author: Marisa Spinka  |  Last update: Monday, February 9, 2026

Question: Can one water heater be used for two and more bathroom (multiple usage points) Answer: Reason: Yes, of course.

How much water heater do I need for 2 bathrooms?

Family needs

For example, the needs of a family of two with one bathroom and a clothes washer should be adequately met with a 30-gallon water heater. For every additional bathroom in your home, add another 3-1/2 gallons to the tank capacity. If you use an automatic dishwasher, add another five gallons to this total.

Where can a water heater not be located?

49-1605 Location of Water Heaters. No water heater that depends on the combustion of fuel for heat, shall be installed in the following locations: In any room used, or designed to be used, for sleeping purposes. Bathroom.

How many showers can a water heater handle?

For instance, a typical shower uses about 10 gallons of hot water. So, if you have a 40-gallon hot water tank, you should be able to get four average-length showers out of your hot water tank. This also depends on how much hot water you use for other things.

How many bathrooms can a 50 gallon water heater handle?

It is very common to find a 50 gallon water heater in a 3 bedroom/3 bathroom home. This is not only because the uniform plumbing code regulates the minimum capacity required in homes based on bedroom and bathroom size, but also because a 50 gallon capacity unit will appropriately serve a to 3 bed/3 bath residence.

What Size Water Heater Do I Need? Solved! | Water Heaters 101

Can you use one water heater two bathrooms?

Yes, of course. Because this is a storage type. Solution: You may ask plumber to connect hot water pipe to other place, such as one usage point on bathroom, another one in the kitchen.

How many showers can you get out of a 50 gallon water heater?

If you use a lower volume shower head you get more showers out of the water heaters. If they are the same wattage and you get 2 1/2 showers out of the 50 gallon heater then you will get 4 out of the 80 gallong heater.

How many minutes of hot water from a 50 gallon water heater?

With a low gpm head and full hot you should be able to get 20 min out of 50 gallons. Now you turn down the hot and add a little cold and you should get more time in a less hot shower. If you need more time you could turn up the water heater and use a less hot water to cold ratio. That would get you a few more minutes.

Can two people shower at the same time with a tankless water heater?

To find the correct capacity, add up all of the fixtures that you expect to use at the same time. For example, if you know that two people will be showering while another person runs a sink, you would need a 5.75 gpm unit, based on two 2.5 gallon-per-minute showers and one 0.75 gallon-per-minute faucet.

Is there a big difference between a 40 gallon and 50 gallon water heater?

If you are on a budget, a 40-gallon may be the better option for you. Water Heater Efficiency: When it comes to efficiency, a 50-gallon water heater is going to be more efficient than a 40-gallon water heater. This is because it will have a lower recovery time, which means it will take less time to heat the water.

Is it okay to enclose a water heater?

Most units require a minimum of two feet between the heater and the edges of the enclosure. Some heaters need more space in order to function correctly. Outdoor water heaters require insulation around the water pipes leading to your home. Keep in mind that bugs and pests may attempt to enter the enclosure.

How long do water heaters last?

While today's water heaters are better designed than older models, they still require regular maintenance in order to prolong their lives. With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years.

Does a hot water heater have to be off the ground?

How high should my gas water heater be off the ground? Your gas water heater should be 18 inches off of the ground, as per the National Fuel Gas Code. This is the standard for water heater installation requirements.

Can I replace a 40 gallon water heater with a 50 gallon?

The diameter of the 50 gallon unit is only 2” bigger than the 40 gallon model, and the other dimensions and venting requirements are identical. No venting or gas piping revisions are needed going up from one size to the other.

Does Home Depot install water heaters?

The Home Depot partners with local, licensed and insured professionals to help homeowners choose the right water heater for their home. If you live within 30 miles of a Home Depot store and call us before noon at 1-800-HOME-DEPOT, our team offers same-day installation.

What size water heater for 3 bedroom 2 bath house?

In general, a 40- to 50-gallon tank is sufficient for an average household of 2 to 3 people, increasing by 10 gallons per additional person in the home. In a tankless water heater, the capacity is measured by flow rate, calculated in gallons per minute.

Why don t more people use tankless water heaters?

Some people hesitate to decide on a tankless water heater because they can be a slightly higher cost; however, you get significantly more life out of one. A standard water heater tank lasts about 8-12 years. A tankless water heater can last as long as 25 years!

What size tankless water heater for 2 bathrooms?

If your home has two bathrooms and 2 or 3 residents, consider a water heater of 190,000 BTUs. If your home has three bathrooms and 3 to 5 residents, consider a water heater of 380,000 BTUs.

How long of a shower can I take with a 20 gallon water heater?

Max 7-8 minutes if you completely empty the water heater tank before cold water spoils the shower temperature. Since 1992, a maximum of 2.5 GPM is the federally mandated flow rate for new showerheads. This means no more than 2.5 gallons of water should flow out each minute. You can use less of course.

Why does my hot water run out after 2 showers?

Water Heater Issues

If your water heater isn't working properly, several fairly common issues can lead to less hot water availability. A malfunctioning thermostat, broken dip tube, and sediment buildup are the most common repair issues that can explain why your shower quickly runs out of hot water.

Should I get a 50 or 75 gallon water heater?

Typically, the rule-of-thumb is that you want a 40 gallon tank for 1 to 4 people, a 50 gallon tank for 4 to 6 people, and a 50 gallon high recovery or 75 gallon tank for 6 to 8 people.

What is the life expectancy of a 50 gallon water heater?

Based on the manufacturer's suggested service life, the average life expectancy of a water heater is about 8 to 12 years. That varies with the location and design of the unit, quality of installation, maintenance schedule and water quality.

Do long showers damage water heater?

Aside from risking mould growth without solid ventilation, excessive hot showers force your hot water tank into maximum output and drive more hot water through the piping system from the basement. In addition, the water heater must keep up with the demand and could wear out sooner.

What is a normal shower time?

The average shower lasts about eight minutes. If you're spending more than 15 minutes in the shower, you may need to make an adjustment. Dermatologists recommend keeping your showers between 5 and 10 minutes. This time period gives you enough time to properly clean your body without overdoing it.

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