What Size Water Heater Do I Need For Family Of 4?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

For example, a family of 3 to 4 people should purchase a

50 – 60 gallon water

. On the other hand, a household with 5 – 7 people may require a water heater with a 60 – 80 gallon water tank.

What size water heater does a 4 person family need?

1-2 people need a 30-gallon water heater. 2-3 people need a 40-gallon water heater. 3-4 people need a

40-50 gallon water heater

. 5 or more people need a 50-80 gallon water heater.

Is 40 gallon water heater enough for a family of 4?

Typically, the rule-of-thumb is that you want a

40 gallon tank for 1 to 4 people

, a 50 gallon tank for 4 to 6 people, and a 50 gallon high recovery or 75 gallon tank for 6 to 8 people. Energy consumption for 40 and 50 gallon standard water heaters is quite comparable.

What size water heater do I need for a family of 5?

If your family size is 5 or more, you'll need an

80-gallon tank (electric)

or a 50-gallon tank (natural gas or liquid propane).

Is a 50 gallon water heater enough?

A 50 gallon water heater is the most common tank we install. It is such a common size because it can supply

hot water for 3 – 5 people

. Considering an average shower uses 17.2 gallons of water you can typically have enough hot water for up to five people to take a shower within an hour.

How many showers can you have in a 40 gallon tank?

A 40-gallon water heater can provide

up to 2 showers in an hour

(if you're not using any other water appliances).

How many gallons of hot water does a shower use?

A shower uses approximately

10 gallons

of hot water per shower. A dishwasher uses 6 gallons during every use, while hand washing uses 4 gallons per wash, and shaving uses 1 to 2 gallons per shave.

Is 40 gallon water heater enough for a family of 5?

2

-3 people

need a 40-gallon water heater. 3-4 people need a 40-50 gallon water heater. 5 or more people need a 50-80 gallon water heater.

How long does it take to get hot water after it runs out?

The average gas heater takes between 30 and 40 minutes to fully heat up the water in its tank. The average electric heater takes about twice as long as the average gas heater to fully heat up the water in its tank, so you can expect it to take

between an hour and an hour and 20 minutes

to heat up.

How much does it cost to replace a water heater?

Type Average Unit Price Range Installation Cost Tankless

$250 – $2,500


$400 – $1,500

How do you determine what size water heater you need?

  1. 1 or 2 people—23 to 36 gallons.
  2. 2 to 4 people—36 to 46 gallons.
  3. 3 to 5 people—46 to 56 gallons.
  4. 5 or more people—over 56 gallons (add 10 gallons per additional person)

How long of a shower can you take with a 50 gallon water heater?

Using the 70% rule, a 50 gallon tank will deliver approximately 35 gallons of water hot enough for a shower. At ~ 2 gallon per minute +,, you get

about 17 minutes or less

of shower. Check your watch.!

Is a short or tall water heater better?

Short water heaters have storage tanks that are between 30 to 49 inches in height. … Budget-minded consumers should note: a short water heater is

much more energy-efficient than a tall heater

—up to 40% more efficient. Additionally, short water heaters provide a better gallons per minute rate than tall water heaters.

Is a 50 gallon water heater enough for a family of 4?

Water Heater Sizes

For example, a family of 3 to 4 people should purchase a

50 – 60 gallon water heater

. On the other hand, a household with 5 – 7 people may require a water heater with a 60 – 80 gallon water tank.

Why does my shower run out of hot water so fast?

If your shower runs out of hot water quickly and frequently,

your water heater might be too old

. On average, a water heater can last between eight to 12 years. If yours is ten years old or more, it's time to replace your water heater. … When you run out of hot water, try resetting your water heater thermostat.

How long does it take for a 50 gallon hot water tank to get hot?

A 50-gallon hot water heater with 5,500-watt elements set to 120 degrees takes

about 1 hour and 20 minutes

to heat water coming in to the unit at 60 degrees. Conversely, when the water entering this same tank is 40 degrees, it takes 1 hours, 47 minutes to heat it up.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.