Hot water tanks come in a wide variety of sizes, depending on your needs and the amount of hot water you want available in your home. There are three primary factors that determine the size of your hot water tank: the flow rate you need to satisfy your faucets and appliances, the temperature you prefer in your home and the anticipated number of people who will be using hot water in the home on a daily basis. This article will explain all three factors and help you determine the right size tank for your home.

How does the flow rate affect your hot water tank size?

The flow rate is how quickly hot water flows through your hot water tank. When you turn the faucet on, hot water flows from the tank at a rate determined by the flow rate and the size of the faucet. If you have a large family and like to run the hot water for extended periods, your flow rate will be higher than if you have a small family and prefer shorter shower times.The flow rate can impact your hot water tank size in one of two ways. First, it will affect the number of appliances and faucets you can connect to your tank at one time. Appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers often have a flow rate of only a few gallons per minute. If you want to use all of these appliances at the same time, your hot water tank needs to have a higher flow rate.

What temperature will you prefer in your home?

The temperature of your hot water will influence the size of your hot water tank. If you like to keep the water in your home at a constant temperature, you may want to select a tank that has enough capacity to store enough hot water to avoid running out too early. For example, if you want to wash your hair with hot water at a constant 160 degrees, you’ll need a tank that has a capacity of at least 80 gallons. Alternatively, if you prefer to use hot water in the kitchen at a lower temperature of about 140 degrees, you’ll need a tank with a capacity of about 60 gallons.The size of your hot water tank is also related to the number of fixtures and appliances you want to use at one time. If you want to use all of your appliances at once (such as a dishwasher and washing machine), your tank needs to have more capacity than if you want to use your appliances for shorter periods of time.

How many people are in your household?

The number of people in your household is the third factor that affects the size of your hot water tank. The more people who will be using hot water in your home at the same time, the larger your hot water tank will need to be. This will ensure that you have enough hot water to satisfy everyone’s needs. If you’re single or have only a few members in your household, you can probably get away with a smaller tank. However, if you have a large family or share a home with roommates, you want to make sure you have a large enough tank to accommodate everyone.

Summing up

The size of your hot water tank is determined by three primary factors: the flow rate you need to satisfy your faucets and appliances, the temperature you prefer in your home and the number of people in your household. Once you know what you need for your home, you can select the right size hot water tank.

Frequently Asked Question

While you technically can install a hot water heater yourself as a homeowner, the likelihood that this is a good or safe idea is very slim. Trust the professionals with your hot water heater installation to make sure it's done correctly. You wouldn't want to cause yourself or your family any harm.
The higher cost is a result of a more labor-intensive set-up, as new gas and water lines are required for installation. For a new tankless water heater, new electric wiring will need to be installed.
Turn off all water supplies in the house. Turn on all the hot water faucets in the house in order to drain what is left in the existing hot water heater. Then, disconnect the water line that connects the water heater to the rest of the house. There is often a connection on a hose that you can simply unscrew.
  • Your older water heater is getting up there in age
  • It's making strange noises
  • You're getting rusty water out of the tap
  • Your hot water doesn't last as long as it used to
  • There are water puddles around the unit
120 degrees Fahrenheit is the safety recommendation against scalding, but 140° is the common default setting. Most experts agree that anything below 120 degrees creates a risk for bacteria to develop inside your water heater from stagnant water, such as legionella that causes Legionnaire's disease.
These heaters can be fueled by electricity, gas, or liquid propane and installed in many areas of your home. The national average cost to replace a 50-gallon hot water heater is $1,100 to $2,800, with most people paying around $1,800 for a direct replacement of a 50-gallon gas hot water heater using the same model.
  • Your older water heater is getting up there in age
  • It's making strange noises
  • You're getting rusty water out of the tap
  • Your hot water doesn't last as long as it used to
  • There are water puddles around the unit
These heaters can be fueled by electricity, gas, or liquid propane and installed in many areas of your home. The national average cost to replace a 50-gallon water heater is $1,100 to $2,800, with most people paying around $1,800 for a direct replacement of a 50-gallon gas hot water heater using the same model.
Turn up the thermostat on the hot water heater. One of the easiest ways to make a hot shower last longer is by using less hot water while it's at a higher temperature. To do this, turn up the temperature on the thermostat that's attached to the hot water heater tank. (Not the thermostat on the wall.)