Choosing the right water heater for your home is important. One that’s too small will leave you with a cold shower, while one that’s too big will run up your water bill. So how are you supposed to know the right size water heater for your home?
Luckily, Valley City Mechanical is here to break down what size and type of water heater are best for your home.
Types of Water Heaters
Before worrying about size, it should first be known that there are many different types and styles of water heaters. Each has its own benefits, downsides, and prices that will help you choose the best option for you. The two most common types of water heaters are storage tank water heaters and tankless water heaters.
Storage Tank Water Heater
The storage tank water heater is the traditional water heater that most people are familiar with. Storage tank water heaters:
- Consist of a tank that stores the hot water until needed
- Is low-priced and suitable for larger households
- Come in both gas and electric models
- Have a 10-13 year lifespan
Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters are a more energy-efficient way to store hot water. These water heaters are better suited for smaller or single households. Tankless water heaters:
- Last up to 20 years, where traditional water heaters only last between 10-13
- Are more energy-efficient than a traditional water heater
- Come in both gas and electric models
- Only supply a limited amount of hot water per minute
What Is The Ideal Size For Me?
Now that you know the difference between traditional and tankless water heaters, you should figure out which is ideal for your home. Each of them has its own sizing requirements, so it varies. The main deciding factor on what size water heater is best for your home is how many people live in your house.
- One to two people in the home: 30-to-40-gallon water heater
- Three to four people in the home: 40-to-50 gallon water heater
- Five or more people in the home: 50-gallon water heater, nothing smaller!
Not sure how big your current water heater is? The size of your water heater should be displayed somewhere on your water heater in gallons. Use this as a reference to see if you need something larger or smaller for your home – high water bill? Get something smaller! Constantly low on hot water? Get a bigger tank!
If you still aren’t sure what size fits your home best, contact the experts at Valley City Mechanical! Our team will gladly tell you everything you need to know about water heater sizing, as well as water heater repairs and installations.