When choosing a new water heater, it's important to get one that's correctly sized for your needs. If it's too small, there will be times when the water runs cold, while if it's oversized, your energy costs will be higher.
Capacity: A bigger water heater has a larger tank, which means it can hold more water. If you frequently draw hot water, a larger tank may be more efficient in meeting your needs without running out.
While we recommend 50-gallon heaters for their benefits, we understand that not every space can accommodate the larger size. Our technicians are trained to assess the space available in your home and, when necessary, install a 40-gallon unit if a 50-gallon heater won't fit.
Higher Energy Bills
Contrary to energy savings expectations with tankless water heaters, an oversized unit can lead to higher energy bills. When a water heater is oversized, it can lead to inefficiencies and increased energy consumption, impacting your monthly utility costs.
Forty-gallon water heaters are perfect for homes with one or two people or those living in smaller spaces. On the other hand, 60-gallon water heaters are suited for larger families (of three or more) or if you have a large tub or hot tub.
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.
Many clients ask me, "What size water heater is right for this home?" Common rule of thumb is that a 40 or 50 gallon tank is suitable for most 3-4 bedroom and 3 bathroom homes.
Upgrade to a bigger Water Heater: If your existing water heater isn't large enough to provide the hot water requirements of your family upgrading to a higher capacity model will guarantee plenty of hot water with increased pressure.
A 50-gallon water heater is going to be more expensive. This is because it is a larger unit and it will use more energy to operate. If you are on a budget, a 40-gallon may be the better option for you.
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.
Traditional Tank
The water is heated at least once a day to ensure a steady and ready supply of hot water. On average, these water heaters last between 8 to 12 years. They're often affected by sediment buildup. Annual flushing of the tank can help to extend a tanked water heater's lifespan.
If you have a large family or use a lot of hot water, you might consider a 50-gallon water heater. This size is beneficial if someone in your family takes long showers or if you have to do laundry frequently. The initial cost of a 50-gallon water heater will be more than a smaller model.
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.
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.
How Many People Can Shower With a 50 Gallon Water Heater? A standard shower for a single person is around 20 gallons of water. So, a 50-gallon water heater is suitable for a family of three to four people.
A small (50- to 60-gallon) storage tank is usually sufficient for one to two three people. A medium (80-gallon) storage tank works well for three to four people. A large tank is appropriate for four to six people.
Based on typical water usage, a 40-gallon water heater should provide enough daily hot water for 2-4 people in a household.
Because tankless water heaters are more efficient, they cost less money to operate. This can save you money in the long run since utility bills are lower than with a tank water heater. Many people find that the cost savings in energy usage eventually makes up for the higher initial cost of a tankless heater.
It is important that you get the sizing of your water heater right. If your water heater is too small for your family, you will not have enough hot water to meet your needs. If your water heater is too big, you will be wasting money on energy costs.
With a larger water heater, you'll have enough hot water to run all your household appliances without experiencing a drop in temperature.
All other things being equal, the smaller the water heater tank, the higher the efficiency rating. Compared to small tanks, large tanks have a greater surface area, which increases heat loss from the tank and decreases the energy efficiency somewhat, as mentioned above.
For a tank-style heater, household size is a simple indicator of hot water needs. You can estimate the necessary tank capacity (in gallons) based on the number of people in the house: 1 or 2 people—23 to 36 gallons. 2 to 4 people—36 to 46 gallons.
The BTU rating of a water heater indicates its heating capacity. Higher BTU ratings mean that the water heater can heat water more quickly and efficiently. It is essential to choose a water heater with an appropriate BTU rating to meet your household's hot water demands.
The cost to replace a 40-gallon water heater is $600 to $1,600 for an electric unit or $900 to $3,000+ for a gas unit, including installation labor. A 40-gallon water heater costs $400 to $2,000 for the unit alone, depending on the brand, features, energy efficiency, and fuel type.