My household is about to increase from three to six. I have a dishwasher in the kitchen and washing machine in the basement. I have to add another bathroom so I was wondering what is the minimum size hot water heater I need so everybody can shower daily and not run out of hot water. Thanks for any tips. I have a standard size hot water heater now.

If a large poportion of them are children... you are going to want a larger tank. Like 60 or 80 gallons.

How big do you have now?

Adults = lots of showers... but kids = lots of laundry. But 6 people any way around is lots of dishes and pots and pans.

With just two people if you run the dishwasher and do a couple loads of laundry I do run out of hot water taking a shower if all are very close to the same time. And I think I have a 40 gallon, but I need to look tonight.

Bigger tank = lots more hot water when you need it... but also higher utilities to heat and keep it hot.

Unless you have natural gas and a tankless option is in the cards for you. I've had those overseas and they suck for small ammounts of hot water, but are fine for showers etc... you need a minimum flow before they will kick on.

I'd reseach those because they are expensive and best if your needs are intermittant as you aren't paying to heat water when you aren't using it... But in high demand use they do use more. And I think your needs will be heavy and regular.

Hi all:

WMORG... Do you have a gas-fired or an electric water heater? Let us know...

Mark

How many bath tubs and showers do you have? The dishwashers use of hot water is a drop in the bucket compared to a tub of hot water.

How many bath tubs and showers do you have?? The dishwashers use of hot water is a drop in the bucket compared to a tub of hot water.

I have one bathroom now with one shower and a bathtub. We are a family of showerers because nobody has time to take baths. My water heater is A.O. Smith model PGXH-50. I guess that means it is a 50 gallon tank, I'm not sure. It doesn't say anywhere else on tank the capacity. It is a gas heater.

Hi Wmorg...

A standard water heater is a 40 gallon gas-fired water heater. This will on average supply a family of four with about 65 gallons of hot water the first hour, i.e. 40 gallons tank capacity plus 25 gallons recovery. Each additional hour thereafter will give a 25 gallon recovery rate per hour. So, in two hours you have a potential of almost 90 gallons of hot water. Two hours with the heater sitting unused will bring the original 40 gallons back so you can go another two hours with about 65 gallons. Plenty for the average family of four.

So, a 50 Gallon should serve you guys pretty well, but if you are worried you may want to consider stepping it up to a 50 gallon high recovery water heater... best option here I think. You may also want to consider installing a 75 gallon water heater but I would start by seeing how the 50 gallon heater you have now works for awhile first. I hate to see you maintain 75 gallons all the time... why the high recovery unit makes more sense... ;)

Let's see what others think here... OK?

Mark

I agree with Mark on this. See how the current 50 gal works, should be fine. Many 50 gallon high recovery require a 4 inch vent instead of the normal three inch vent, and the 75 gallon always require a 4 inch vent.. So make sure about your available venting sizes before moving forward. As I said, I really agree with Mark that your current water heater should take care of your demand.