The first question people ask when looking at hot water heaters is, “What size do I need?” The right size for you depends on your particular circumstances and hot water use. Your household size is one of the most important considerations when choosing a water heater. The other considerations depend on your location and preferences. Keep reading to find out which size hot water system you need!
Hot Water System Types
There are many types of hot water systems that you can have installed in your home or business. However, each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Below, we’ve outlined the most common types of hot water systems; please read their descriptions for a better understanding of what kind of hot water system you’ll need.
- Electric — An electric hot water system is one of the most used systems. It is usually a tankless hot water system that is powered by electricity. It is best suited for small households. The temperature of the water is controlled by a thermostat that is usually installed at the tank.
- Gas — A gas hot water system is the most common hot water system for large households. This system is powered by gas. It is also one of the most cost-effective hot water systems. This system is usually installed with an instant hot water heater placed in the kitchen or bathroom. Gas hot water systems are also used in commercial establishments.
- Solar — A solar hot water system is an autonomous system that uses the sun’s energy to heat water. It is a cost-effective system that is powered by the sun. It is best suited for households that have a large water consumption. This system is installed on the roof of the house. Solar hot water systems can be installed with a tank or tankless system.
- Heat Pump — A heat pump hot water system is an electric hot water system installed in a home or a business. It requires a separate power source to run. Unlike the electric tankless hot water system, this system has a water heater that uses a heat exchange system to heat the water. Heat pump hot water systems are easy to use and very energy efficient because they don’t use a lot of electricity.
Hot Water System Heating Methods
There are two hot water heating methods that you should be aware of. We have outlined these two below.
- Storage — Storage water heaters are tank-based systems. This means that the water is stored in a tank and heated to the desired temperature. Storage water heaters are more efficient than instantaneous tankless water heaters. However, they do require more plumbing work.
- Instantaneous — Instantaneous water heaters are also known as tankless water heaters. They heat water as you need it and do not store water. A benefit of this system is that they are very energy efficient. However, they require more work to install compared to storage water heaters.
How Do I Decide on a Size?
Choosing the size for your next water heater isn’t as hard as it sounds. The primary considerations you’ll want to consider are your household size and your typical water usage. Keep in mind that one person’s regular daily hot water consumption is roughly 50 litres, so if you’re living in a more significant household with multiple people, you’ll likely want to consider a large water heater. The same goes for the amount of water you’re using.
Three of the primary considerations for choosing the size of your new hot water system:
- Household size. The more people you have in your household, the larger the tank you’ll need.
- Daily water usage. If you’re using a lot of water each day, you’ll want a larger tank.
- Appliances. Washing machines and dishwashers use a lot of hot water. If you’re doing multiple loads of washing a day and using warm water, it’s best to pick a bigger tank.
It is good practice to talk with those who will be helping with your water heater installation. Experts can tell you based on your home size which size water heating system you need.
Conclusion
Picking a new hot water system isn’t easy, but it’s not going to be too difficult either. Consider your household size, your water usage, and how much water your appliances are using. You’ll also want to know the difference between different types of water heating systems. We hope this guide helped!