What size water heater do I need for 2 showers?

Author: Katarina Conroy  |  Last update: Thursday, October 16, 2025

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.

What size water heater for 2 bathrooms?

Finding your peak hot water usage will help you determine the necessary flow rate of your tankless water heater. For an average Fox Cities home with two bathrooms, you'd probably want a tankless water heater with 8–9 gpm. For smaller or one-bathroom homes, 4-6 gpm is generally ok.

How many showers can a 40-gallon tank have?

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.

Is a 20 gallon water heater enough for 2 people?

Storage tank sizes range from 20 to 80 gallons but typically come in 30, 40, 50, 55 and 75 size categories. A general estimate from Forbes suggests: One to two people: 20-30 gallon water heater. Three to four people: 30-50 gallon water heater.

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

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

A shower head typically passes 2.5 gallons per minute and most people typically use around 75% hot water. That should easily get you a 15 minute shower.

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.

How long can I shower with 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.

Is Rheem or AO Smith a better water heater?

If you're looking for a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective water heater, Rheemhas the edge over A.O. Smith. With superior energy efficiency, longer warranties, and better overall performance, Rheem units are designed to meet the needs of modern homeowners.

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.

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.

How long should a 40 gallon water heater last for a shower?

How Much Hot Water Does a Shower Use? A 40-gallon water heater can provide up to 2 showers in an hour (if you're not using any other water appliances).

Is AO Smith a good water heater?

A.O. Smith water heaters have long been praised for their durability and excellent performance. This reputation can be partly attributed to the high-quality components utilized in making these heaters. Corrosion-resistant materials, such as glass coated heating elements and stainless-steel tanks, show A.O.

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 is the average price for a 50 gallon water heater?

The average cost to replace a 50-gallon water heater is $700 to $1,800 for an electric unit or $1,000 to $3,100+ for a gas unit, including labor. A 50-gallon water heater costs $500 to $2,100 for the unit alone, depending on the fuel type, energy efficiency, features, and brand.

What water heaters do plumbers recommend?

AO Smith, State, and Bradford White are all very dependable brands and are known by professional plumbers for top-quality gas and electric water heaters. Master plumber Eddie Heil put it this way, “AO Smith, State, and Bradford White are all great choices in our experience.

Does Lowes install water heaters?

Lowe's Water Heater Installation

Let us replace and install your new water heater. Our Independent Service PROviders can help you with both tankless and traditional water heater tanks, including gas water heaters, electric water heaters and tankless gas water heaters.

Are Whirlpool and A.O. Smith the same company?

The addition of the American, Whirlpool, GSW, and John Wood brands make A.O.

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.

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

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.

How much hot water does a 10 minute shower use?

Generally, taking a shower uses less water than a full bath. A standard showerhead flows at a rate of 2.5 gallons per minute . This means that a ten-minute shower only uses 25 gallons of water.

Should I buy a 40 or 50 gallon water heater?

Think about how much hot water your household typically needs. If you live alone or with one other person, a 40-gallon heater might be plenty. But if you have a larger family or need more hot water for back-to-back showers, dishes, and laundry, a 50-gallon heater can make life a lot easier.

Should I buy a water heater from a plumber?

Water Heater Quality

The units available at a retail store or online typically are not the same as those sold through a local plumber. Low retail prices are often possible due to lower product quality and the use of less durable components.

Should I get 40 or 60 gallons water heater?

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.

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