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

Start with a 20-gallon base and add 10 gallons for every additional person in the home. what size water heater to buy

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 Tank heaters are rated by their storage capacity