Size Does Matter...
I have been running into many 40 gallon electric water heaters in my inspections, especially in rehabs. While I understand that it is all about turning a profit; 9 times out of ten, I write these up as being improperly sized. Here’s why:
The selection of a particular type hot water supply system for a house is determined by several factors including the utility connections available, utility rates, hot water demand, and owner preference.
There are several methods which can be used to calculate hot water demand. Each possibly will give different results. While no one single method is a perfect indicator of the actual hot water needs, the homeowner's demand will be the determining factor as to the size. Some of these factors are as follows: The number of people living in a house, occupant ages, lifestyles, work schedules, and the number of appliances using hot water.
Most households use the highest volume of hot water during two peak periods every day. These typically occur in a two-hour period between 6:00 - 9:00 am or 5:00 - 8:00 pm each day. Regardless of the adequacy of a water heating system during off-peak periods, inadequate hot water during peak periods will lead most people to believe that there is a hot water supply or capacity problem.
Not all water heaters are made equal; nor, are all households and demands the same. Hence, the specific water usage patterns and water heater design and capacity specifications must be considered to determine what water heating system will be most appropriate for any particular situation.
If you are running out of hot water at various times of the day, you may need to have to change your life style or have a specialist in the appropriate trade further evaluate the size of your water heating system.
I have attached the following guide to give a reference for selecting the appropriately sized water heater based on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. I hope that this helps.
This posting and the contents herein is the intellectual property of Michael Thornton, CEO of The Complete Group. We provide the highest quality service in the areas of home inspections and videos/photography for the web, corporate, businesses and the real estate industry. Complete Home Inspections, Inc. and Creative Video Concepts serves the Brentwood, Franklin, Nashville and the area surrounding Davidson and Williamson County TN. This post is a contribution to the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.
Morning Michael I thought you were going to talk about something else and you really got my attention :~). I think I have a 30 gallon heater and it seems I have the right one. Nice post sir enjoy your day :~)
Another factor would be the large bath tubs sometimes found in master bathrooms! I see those often, with 40 gal tanks!
Hi Michael - Hot water heaters are like septic systems. They are designed around how many bedrooms are in the unit.
You are so right that each family's needs can be different. sometimes, life style adaptations can work; other times, you really need to make an investment to alleviate the issue.
Excellent consumer information Michael and congrats on the well deserved feature. Have a wonderful day.
Michael- this is information every consumer can use when they are considering their hot water heaters. At the very least it gives them help on what questions they need answered.
Hi Michael.
Jay is right. I had a home with a really big "garden tub and a thirty gallon water heater". A little too small to even keep up with the use of the tub. I was around 80 gallons.
It would take a while to fill it. Good post. Lots of info in it.
Have a great Sunday in Nashville.
Best, Clint Mckie
Thanks for the chart, a good rule of thumb to go by and to pass on to buyers.
Great information and the chart does help to educate the consumer.
Michael - Thanks for the chart. I'm keeping it for both personal and business info. As REALTORs we're always being asked questions about thing such as hot water heaters. Now I have data from an expert! Thanks for sharing and make it a grand Sunday my friend.
Michael...
I am considering an "on-demand" water heater when I replace my current 40 gallon heater. What do you think of those?
Yep, some need 40 and some need 80. Had a home with a big master tub and had to upgrade the hot water heater. Thanks for the chart! Enjoy your day!
Michael, We occasionally have hot water supply issues because someone who shall remain nameless takes very long showers and when the husband other person takes his a shower the supply may run out before he the other person is finished :) Bill
Michael, this is a great chart to help our clients determine their needs. Job well done!
Michael, what a great chart -- thanks for sharing. I'm kind of surprised at the gallon differential basis gas vs. electric -- I hadn't thought of that and that took me by surprise. For large family homes, I ALWAYS ask if there is pump on their HW system (delivers HW faster to the far reaches of the property). Many have installed them (on large properties) and it is a HUGE feature for buyers ... as two hot water "issues" buyers have is the uh Bliz syndrome (#13) of running OUT and the second one is WAITING FOREVER for HW to get to the far bathroom Good post. Thanks!
Michael, we upgraded a bathroom with a large tub and found out our hot water heater ran cold while filling it. We had to upgrade to a larger hot water heater. Thanks for the info.
This is good information to have available. I never really gave it much thought.
Thanks for the info, Michael. I'm just getting ready to change mine. I'm seeing more and more homes go to dual water heaters too. Not a bad idea depending on how the house is built.
Size matters in most cases! When I fill the tub....it really matters. But I do like the tankless water heaters in the kitchen. I didn't at first, but now I do! Great post Michael!
Great information Michael, I know that oil and gas water heaters heat up much faster than electric.
Not only does size matter, but you've proven it's how you use it too.................
That is a way of looking at water heater capacity that I haven't thought about before. I live in a 3 bedroom 2 bath home. I also live alone. But my 4 grown kids and grandkids come home several times a year. Most days I could probably get by with 30 gallons. But when the family comes home and on holidays, I'm grateful for my 40 gallon capacity.
People with swimming pools also may need a larger tank. We used to have people over all the time who would shower one after another...and not lack for hot water...Can anyone imagine what it was like 100 years ago to have to boil water for a bath? I continue to be grateful for this break through
Michael, A convenience that we all want and a topic of complaint when we can't get it, is hot water. Thanks for providing these guidelines and suggestions. Best wishes always.
I see those smaller tanks in homes with garden tubs. Wait till they have to fill it up in stages...
A very common problem in my area. Many townhouses for example use under the counter 30 or 35 gallon electric tanks. They are insufficient for most families.
Mike,
The problem seems to be everyone wanting hot water at the same time. Fortunately dishes, and clothes can wait until off peak hours, but otherwise this is tough to control.
Brian
Thanks for a presenting a logical way of judging adequacy of water heaters. Can I steal it???
Michael,
Another issue with undersized tanks is people tend to crank up the temperature to get more volume. Then little joey comes along and gets burned.
Actually Donald's comment above does add a new dimension to the post. Not only does Joey get burned but the utility bill goes up too.
Great advice and help. I never knew that gas or electric fired made a difference. I will pass this along to my buyers. Thanks again for the info.
Great information which I'll bookmark for future reference. Thanks.
Big Scorpio - Great information as usual and the chart is an excellent way to to educate the consumer!
I knew long before I even finished reading this that it was feature worthy. And my thoughts were confirmed when I did get to the bottom and saw that little gold star right there where it belongs. Nicely done my friend.
You're right.. size does matter and buyers need to know this! I come across this often in rehab deals as well.
Michael
Thanks for sharing a very informative post.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Michael, Hot water and plenty of it is so important. I just listed a home that has two 40 gallon conventional electric water heaters that are turned off. They have a tankless propane water heater mounted on the exterior of the home and they say this supplies all of the hot water they need.
What a great blog so true about how size matters. In my industry(water wells) we are always coming across undersized holding tanks that can reak havoc on well systems guess the same is true with hot water. Great blog just subscribed thanks for the info ~
Michael ....Thanks for the chart ...That will come in handy! Going to re-blog right now!
Michael, I'm putting the chart in my consumer package of useful information...this is extremely helpful...thanks