As it is essential to check for the efficiency, long term durability and affordability of a water heater, it is also necessary to put into consideration the size of the water heater. This is because a water heater becomes useless if it does not serve adequately for people who have gotten it. So, before you go for a what heater you must consider the size of your family, place of work or any commercial usage. This article has been written with five significant sizes with recommendations of the number of people or location to install it.
The type of size of your water heater is based on the forms of the tank. The size you will be considering for a hot water tank is different from what you will need in a tankless water heater.
Tank Water Heater
For this model of hot water heater, their sizes are based on BTU input and capacity in gallons. This model has been existence for a long period of time and is the most common and popular water heater form. It stores water for an extended period for easy access whenever you need hot water. There are two essential things to put into consideration when you are in search of a water heater size suitable for your home or place of work. These are the First Hour Rate (FHR) and Peak Hour Demand.
- First Hour Rate (FHR)
This deals with the amount of hot water a water heater can produce for a family in 1 hour.
- Peak Hour Demand
This deals with the amount of hot water a particular family consumes in your period.
The storage water heater has various sizes according to the space and the number of users.
1. 85-100 gallons of water.
This is the largest storage water heater tank in the market today. It is the best option for an extended family with a member of 5 people or more. This size gives these people an opportunity to take a bath each daily, use hot water for kitchen need and at the same time use laundry one in a week each. Size is so unique that it satisfies each and everyone’s need with leaving anyone out. Also, it is vital that this size tends to take a lot of space compared to tankless and other mini-tank water heaters. Likewise, it is sometimes expensive to purchase.
2. 70-85 gallons of water
This is the runner-up in water heater large size. It is the suitable size for a nuclear family with at the highest four members or a couple two just two children. It gives them the opportunity to take a shower each daily. Alongside with this, this family can use laundry for at least twice in a week with other kitchen usages. It is slightly expensive and takes less space as compared to 100 gallons of water.
3. 50-70 gallons of water
This is the best and most suitable water heater size for couples or three people at most. Each of these people can take a shower or bath daily. They could also do laundry for like two to three times a day without failing to provide an adequate water supply for the kitchen use. This water size comes at a slight affordable price.
4. 50 and Below
This is the smallest size of all storage or tank water heaters in the market today. It is a suitable size for a single person or couple who love to keep water. A bath or shower can be taken twice daily from this tank, and it will still be able to carry out other function such as laundry and kitchen use. Also, it comes in a compact size that makes it for into any space. Also, this size comes in a cheap price.
Tankless Water Heater
This is the new model of water heater that is emerging in the world today. It comes in a compact and a sleek design that does not only make the water heater portable but also adds elegance to the place of installation. Also, this model does not run out of the water, and at the same time, it is water efficient. It uses either a gas or electric energy to supply adequate hot water for either a home or commercial places. With this product not having a tank, it means that you do not need to consider the capacity to determine the size, instead you need to consider flow rate and temperature rise.
- Flow rate
This deals with the gallons of hot water a user can use per minute from a tankless water heater.
- Temperature rise
It deals with the level or degree temperature a heater uses to pressurize or heat hot water.
Tankless water heater comes in various sizes which are:
1. 10 gallons of water per minute
This is the largest size of all tankless water heaters. It comes in a small size that makes is fit into any space either large or small. Also, it has a lightweight design that makes it easy to be moved from one place to another without much stress. It supplies adequate water need for a shower in just in a minute
2. 7-6 gallons of water per minute
This is also one of the largest tankless water heaters. It is the most suitable for laundry and dishwashing. With this size, you can use a laundry for up to two times a week and wash your dishes daily.
3. 6-4 gallons of water per minute
This is an average tankless water heater. It is the most suitable for hair washing, face washing, food preparation, and hand washing. Size gives you to have a single shower or bath daily and also provides adequate hot water for kitchen use and laundry.
4. 4 – Below
This is the smallest tankless water heater. It comes with a small price tag that can be affordable by all users who are either on a budget or earn a low income. It is suitable for shaving.