Table Of Contents
Are you planning to buy a new electrical hot water system? If that’s the case, contact the experts because electric hot water systems are an excellent investment. In addition to providing hot water for all your needs, it also increases the value of your home.
There are different models of heaters in the market that you could invest in. Ultimately, the choice depends on your preference and budget. Additionally, there are several other factors to consider when getting an electric hot water system that meets your needs.
One key factor to consider is the size, as you need a system that can effectively meet your household’s hot water needs. So, what size electric hot water system do you need? Continue reading to learn more.
Why The Size Of Hot Water Systems Matter
The size of the electric hot water system you invest in generally determines whether you have enough water to meet all your hot water needs. The right size of water heater should cater to all your household’s hot water needs, regardless of whether it is a gas, electric, or even a solar hot water system.
This is to say that if some family members miss hot water to shower or perform other tasks at any point, that system size is inadequate. If you invest in an electric, solar, or gas hot water system that is too small, it won’t provide enough hot water for all your needs.
Additionally, a hot water system that is too small will overwork to keep up with your hot water demands, making it susceptible to breaking down. You will, in turn, incur regular costs for repairs to keep it working correctly.
On the other hand, an extensive electric hot water system will heat more water than your household needs which is wasteful. This means you end up spending more on your energy bills.
Pick The Right Size Electric Hot Water System
Here are the top critical factors to consider to determine the correct size of electric hot water system to install on your property.
Your home’s hot water usage
The utmost critical factor to consider is your home’s hot water usage. This means that you have to consider the number of people using the hot water so that you can know the right size to choose. First, consider the number of members living in your home full-time, then consider the increased needs that might arise from visitors who come to your home.
It’s also important to look into how often you use hot water in your home. For instance, consider the number of times each person takes a shower or how much water you use for appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and others. You should invest in an electric hot water system that can provide water that caters to all those needs.
You should also consider the hot water usage habits in your home. For instance, consider whether all your family members shower in the morning or at different times. If you all shower in the morning, you should invest in an extensive system to meet the high demands. However, if you all take showers at different times, you could invest in a minor system.
Number of outlets attached to the water heater
You should also consider the number of outlets attached to the electric hot water system. For instance, if you have a single shower attached to the system, you will need a small-sized heater. This is because your electric water heater will have more time to heat up more water for the subsequent showers.
In the same vein, if your hot water system needs to provide hot water for several bathrooms simultaneously or require a lot of hot water on demand, you should invest in a large electric hot water system.
Do you want a tankless or tank electric hot water system?
When considering the right hot water system size for your home, you should also consider whether you want to invest in a storage tank or a tankless system. A tankless water heater features built-in coils that instantly heat water when needed. The upfront cost for a tankless heater is usually high; however, its water heating method is more efficient than the storage tank option.
However, you should also note that a tankless system can only provide you with around three hot water gallons per minute. Thus, they are not the best option if you have more hot water needs.
Storage tank water heaters are more popular because of their lower upfront cost. However, you should also know that they are not energy efficient because they heat more water than you probably require. Storage water heaters are the best option if you have a large family or more hot water needs.
Available space in your house
Considering the size of the electric water heater, perfect for your home, you should also consider the space available. You need a water heater that will fit perfectly in your home without wasting unnecessary space.
If you have almost no available space in your home, you should go for a tankless electric water heater because they are compact and can also be installed in small areas, such as closets.
On the other hand, a storage-tank hot water heater needs a large area for installation and is not the right option if you have no available space in your home. You can install it in the basement and other areas away from your living space.
Electric Hot Water System Sizing
In order to know the best size electric hot water system to install, it’s good to understand the basics of sizing. Hot water system sizing differs for tankless and tank options. Storage tank water heaters are sized depending on FHR, which is short for First Hour Rating.
This represents the number of litres of hot water the heater can produce per hour. On the other hand, tankless water heaters are sized depending on the number of gallons produced each minute at the proper temperature rise.
BTU (British Thermal Unit) is also critical in both tankless and tank heating systems. A hot water system’s BTU rating demonstrates the energy required to heat around half a kilogram of water by a single degree.
The right BTU rating for the correct sized electric hot water system in your home is determined by the preferred hot water temperatures and incoming water temperatures.
Electric Water Heater Size Considerations
As you can see, the size of an electric hot water system is a critical factor when buying this appliance. A single mistake when determining the size could make you regret your investment and stand in the way of enjoying the benefits of these systems. Here are a few mistakes to avoid when selecting the right electric water heater size:
Failure to consider future needs
You shouldn’t only consider your current hot water needs when buying an electric water heater. You should also consider future needs. For instance, if you are a young family that plans on expanding your family, you should assume that when your family grows, so will your hot water needs.
Failure to carefully consider a potential increase in future hot water needs might result in you incurring the cost of buying another heater to cater to the increased demands.
Making the selection by yourself
It might sound like a simple process; however, selecting the right-sized electric hot water system for all your hot water needs is more complex than it seems. If you aren’t sure, it is always good to seek advice from a qualified plumber on the right electric water heater size to meet all your household’s hot water needs.
Plumbers have the proper knowledge of everything to do with sizing hot water systems, so you are sure to get the right advice to make an informed decision.
Failure to consider other factors
When considering the right electric water heater size for your home, you shouldn’t neglect other important factors in the process. For instance, it’s also good to consider the best model to install. Look for a model with high performance and energy efficiency features and compare their lifespans.
Additionally, it’s essential to consider the price of the water heater to buy. Electric water heaters are provided at different prices, so compare the various options and get a high-quality system sold at a more affordable price. Finally, check the warranty provided by the manufacturer, perform the correct placement and follow all instructions when using it.
Expert Electric Hot Water System Installers
After selecting the correct sized electric hot water system for your hot water needs, you should ensure that the installation is done correctly. Therefore, entrust the installation work to the best plumbing contractor in your locality.
A good plumber offers you high-quality hot water installation and other services to ensure that your appliance serves you for many years with no issues.
