What Size Water Heater To Buy May 2026

Tank heaters are rated by their storage capacity in gallons and their , which is the total amount of hot water they can deliver in one hour starting with a full tank. Quick Household Guide: 1–2 people: 30–40 gallon tank 2–3 people: 40–50 gallon tank 3–4 people: 50–60 gallon tank 5+ people: 60–80+ gallon tank

To choose the right size water heater, you first need to decide between a (sized by gallons) or a tankless unit (sized by flow rate). The "perfect" size isn't just about the number of people; it’s about your peak hour demand —the busiest 60 minutes of hot water use in your home, such as a morning where multiple people shower while the dishwasher runs. 1. Traditional Tank Sizing what size water heater to buy

Look at the EnergyGuide label on a new unit; its FHR should match or exceed your calculated peak-hour usage. 2. Tankless (On-Demand) Sizing Sizing a New Water Heater | Department of Energy Tank heaters are rated by their storage capacity