Baths. Showers. Dishwasher cycles. Cooking. Cleaning. There are lots of ways in which hot water is used in the average home. And it’s important to have the right size heater to suit the household’s needs without overspending on one that’s excessively big.
This guide will help homeowners determine the right heater size for a perfect fit.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PICKING THE RIGHT SIZE
The main reason why it’s crucial to pick the right size water heater is cost. Bigger and more powerful heaters naturally cost more to buy, install, and run. And people usually want to get the best value for money. Picking the right size heater can help homeowners avoid overspending, which is particularly important for those on strict, limited budgets.
FACTORS THAT IMPACT WATER HEATER SIZE
Water usage is the most important factor when deciding on the right water heater size. Naturally, if the household uses lots of water daily on the showers, laundry, and dishwasher cycles, it’ll need a bigger heater. Meanwhile, homes that use less hot water daily won’t have to worry so much about installing a large heater.
WORKING OUT THE RIGHT SIZE
It’s important to figure out how much water the household uses during peak hours. In other words, homeowners need to figure out when they use the most hot water and find a heater to support their needs. There are three steps to this process:
IDENTIFYING THE PEAK HOUR
First, homeowners need to identify their peak hours. This is when the most hot water is used during the day. It’s usually when people take their showers or when hot water appliances, like dishwashers and laundry machines, are used the most.
ESTIMATING THE PEAK WATER USAGE
Next, homeowners can list how they use hot water during peak hours. That includes showers, baths, food preparation, dishwashers, laundry, etc. Working out an estimated peak hour total in gallons is possible.
For example, some sources suggest a typical use of 10 gallons per person per hour at peak usage, with a hot water capacity of 7 gallons per person necessary to prevent running out.
FINDING THE RIGHT HEATER
With the peak hour total figured out, homeowners must find a heater to meet it. Heaters all have their first-hour rating, or FHR, which tells the user how many gallons of water the heater can heat in a single hour. It should be a good fit if the heater’s FHR is high enough to cover the home’s peak hour.
CONTACT THE PROS FOR ACCURATE WATER HEATER SIZING
Figuring out the right water heater size can be challenging, and it’s easy to make mistakes when working it out alone. To avoid confusion, it’s always better to contact trusted water heating specialists who can help every homeowner decide on the right size heater.