Understanding Your Hot Water Needs

To choose the correct water heater size, there are a few factors to consider. First, think through the amount of water you use and how often you use it.

A benchmark can help you determine these factors. Consider how many people live at your home and how often they take showers. Do they take back-to-back or simultaneous showers? How long is the typical shower? Does your home have bathtubs (and if so, what is their size)? You may also want to consider other appliances that require hot water, like washing machines and dishwashers, and the time and frequency those are used. For example, are they typically used during the same times you use a shower?

Considering these factors will give you the information you need to choose the correct water heater size for your home and your needs. Use our XPERT^™ Water Heater Selection Tool for more help.

Determining Your Priorities

Your personal priorities and your unique lifestyle choices will also help you choose the right size water heater.

There is a sliding scale between how much your water heater can store vs. how quickly it can reheat the water in its tank. The right water heater for you will strike a good balance depending on what’s most important to you and what will meet your needs.

If your needs include filling a large bathtub or allowing for multiple showers to be taken at the same time, a tank water heater may be a good choice. These units provide storage capacity, but they do take time to reheat a full tank of water.

On the other hand, tankless water heaters can produce a continuous flow of hot water, making them ideal for sustained hot water use, such as multiple showers in a row. However, tankless water heaters may limit the number of fixtures you can use simultaneously.

Learn more about tank and tankless water heaters.

Thinking through your priorities will lead you toward the best water heater type for you as well as the size that will fit your needs best.

Your Space Requirements

Once you’ve determined your hot water requirements and aligned your priorities, the amount of space you have for a water heater can help you narrow down your options. If you have a lot of space, a large storage tank water heater may be the best solution. These can be installed in basements, closets, and other spaces that are away from where you spend most of your time.

For homes with minimal extra space, tankless water heaters can provide an efficient solution. They're compact and can fit into areas of your home like small closets. No matter your decision, ensure you’ve considered where your water heater should be installed and how much room you have to spare.