How Big Should Your Hot Water Heater Be?

Before diving into how to calculate the size of your water heater, you need to understand why this is important. Water heaters come in all shapes and sizes, and you may think that as long as you have hot water, you will be fine. In reality, that is not the case.

If your water heater is too small, you will end up with cold water when you want hot water. You probably do not want to step into an ice-cold shower in the morning, and you don't want to run out of water when you want to take a warm bath. Furthermore, if your water heater is small and has to refill repeatedly, you could cause it to burn out prematurely by overworking it, meaning that you will simply have to replace it. If you want to avoid repairs, you need to get a water heater that is large enough.

On the other hand, you don't want a water heater that is too large. If the water heater is too big, you will end up over-paying in comparison to your needs. Furthermore, it takes more energy to heat a larger water heater, which will drive up your utility bills.



With this in mind, it is time to take a closer look at how you can figure out how large of a water heater you need.

If you take a look at different water heaters, you will see that most of them have a first-hour rating, usually shortened to FHR. This is the number that you need to calculate, and it is important to learn how to do so.

First, you need to figure out your peak hour demand. This refers to the maximum amount of hot water you require during the busiest hour of your day. It is typically measured in gallons. It reflects the hottest water used by all devices that require hot water.

Next, you need to think about all the hot water activities that you fit into this peak hour. It is helpful to use a chart that can help you approximate your peak-hour demand. If you would like help figuring out this measurement, give us a call! It would be our pleasure to work with you.



Finally, it is time to take a look at different water heaters. Various water heaters are going to have different first-hour ratings, and you must make sure that your peak-hour demand matches this first-hour rating. That is how you can figure out if a water heater is right for you or not.

You need to be familiar with how to do this calculation, as it will help you find the right hot water heater to meet your needs without overpaying.

Clearly, there is a lot of math involved, and that is why it is better to reach out to a professional who can help you. If you think it is time to install a new water heater, we are available to help you. We have connections throughout the industry that we can use to help you get the best price possible on a new water heater. Contact us today to speak to a member of our team, and let us help you find the right hot water heater for your home! You deserve to have hot water when you turn on the faucet.