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50 vs 80 gallon water heater

by Ms. Marilou Collier III Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

For 2 or 3 people, a 40-50-gallon water heater is usually the best. If you’re considering getting a 50-60-gallon water heater, this is ideal for a residence that houses 3 or 4 people. If your family includes 5 or more individuals, the ideal water heater size is between 60 and 80 gallons.

Water Heater Sizes
The answer to this question will vary depending on the total number of kids you have. For example, a family of 3 to 4 people should purchase a 50 – 60 gallon water heater. On the other hand, a household with 5 – 7 people may require a water heater with a 60 – 80 gallon water tank.
Jun 8, 2020

Full Answer

Is it possible to replace an 80 gallon water heater?

80 gallon electric hot water heater is common in larger homes in Palm Beach County. When these water heaters fail, you will find that finding a replacement 80 gallon water heater is almost impossible. The reason for that is the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 2015.

What is the best 50 gallon gas water heater?

The A.O. Smith Signature 100 50-gallon gas water heater underlines many of the reasons gas models are popular. The 0.62 UEF is fairly ordinary, but the 40,000-BTU heater delivers an impressive first-hour rate of 81 gallons and recovery of 41 GPH. It heats water quickly and continues to refill the tank rapidly as it is used.

Should I get a 50-gallon heater or a smaller one?

We’ve had a 50-gallon heater for years and it seems to serve us well, even when we fill the house up with guests. So, my advice is to go with the smaller heater. Dear Jerry: My home was built in 1956.

Can you fit a 50 gallon water heater in a basement?

Fitting a 50-gallon gas water heater into new builds is usually straightforward, but in older buildings it can be more problematic, especially in basements where low beams can get in the way. With a height of just 51 inches, the Rheem Performance Atmospheric Short offers an effective solution.

Why are 80 gallon water heaters discontinued?

80 gallon electric hot water heater is common in larger homes in Palm Beach County. When these water heaters fail, you will find that finding a replacement 80 gallon water heater is almost impossible. The reason for that is the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 2015.

Is a 50 gallon water heater big enough?

Typically, the rule-of-thumb is that you want a 40 gallon tank for 1 to 4 people, a 50 gallon tank for 4 to 6 people, and a 50 gallon high recovery or 75 gallon tank for 6 to 8 people. Energy consumption for 40 and 50 gallon standard water heaters is quite comparable.

Do they make 80 gallon water heaters anymore?

Product Details. Get hot water for your space with this Westinghouse 80-gallon residential electric water heater. This energy-efficient water heater delivers 84 gallons of hot water in an hour. To minimize cold and hot water mixing, it directs cold water to the heating element near the bottom of the tank.

How many showers can you take with a 50 gallon water heater?

A 50 gallon water heater is the most common tank we install. It is such a common size because it can supply hot water for 3 – 5 people. Considering an average shower uses 17.2 gallons of water you can typically have enough hot water for up to five people to take a shower within an hour.

What size water tank do I need for a family of 4?

Start with Your Household Size So, for a family of 4–5 people, you will need to get a tank that is able to hold at least 50–60 gallons. For a family that is bigger than 5, you will need to look for tanks ranging up to 80 gallons.

Is a bigger water heater better?

Bigger is not necessarily better when it comes to choosing the size of a water heater. If you install a tank that's too small, you'll run out of hot water before finishing the shower. And if you get a tank that's too big, you're wasting money on heating water they won't use.

How long does it take an 80 gallon water tank to heat up?

approximately 60 to 70 minutesA properly and professionally installed gas hot water heater will provide hot water most quickly. An average 40-gallon heater will only take about 30 to 40 minutes to provide heat water, while you can expect hot water from a larger tank (80-gallons) in approximately 60 to 70 minutes.

What does an 80 gallon water heater cost?

$1,000 to $3,000A 30-gallon tank-style water heater runs approximately $270 to $900, and an 80-gallon tank ranges from $1,000 to $3,000.

How big is an 80 gallon water heater?

The Rheem Professional Prestige Hybrid Water Heater (80 Gallon) has an overall height of 74” (188 cm) and diameter of 24.25” (61.6 cm). The Rheem Professional Prestige Hybrid Water Heater (80 Gallon) weighs 281 lb (127.5 kg) and has a tank capacity of 80 gal (303 L).

Is a 50-gallon water heater enough for a family of 4?

For a four-person family, a 50-gallon water heater is sufficient. 50-gallons is good if you're using electricity, and 40 gallons will work for natural gas or propane. Families with more than five persons may benefit from an 80-gallon electric water heater or 50-gallon gas water heater.

Which is better a tall or short water heater?

Short Water Heaters Are Energy Efficient In comparison to tall water heaters, the short ones are almost 40% more energy efficient. Opting for appliances with higher energy efficiency ratings is always a wise choice. Low energy consumption will result in low energy costs and help you save some money.

How long a shower will a 50-gallon water heater last?

Factors Affecting The Lifespan Of A 50-Gallon Water Heater. The standard life expectancy of the heating element in oil or gas water heaters is set at 8 to 12 years. On the other hand, electric tankless water heaters promise hot showers for as long as 18 -20 years.

How many gallons of water does a 50 gallon water heater hold?

A 50 gallon electric water heater has around 50 gallons of storage capacity and an 80 gallon has around 80 gallons of storage capacity. (They aren’t exactly 50 and 80 gallons but they close) There other factors that affect the performance of a water heater. The most important being 1st hour recovery.

How efficient are electric resistance heaters?

Electric resistance heaters are 100% efficient at turning electricity into heat. So are just about all other electric appliances - computers, fans, lights. It all ends up as heat somewhere eventually, though sometimes light escapes into outer space, and usually the energy has done something useful along the way, like letting you watch a movie. Purpose-designed heaters will be something like 99.9% efficient at putting the energy that you’ve paid for into the heater - a tiny amount will be lost in heating the wiring between the meter and the room.

Why are electric heaters so efficient?

They are all the same efficiency, because all electric heaters are 100% efficient; all the electricity that is used gets converted to heat. The reason I like these heaters is the flexibility they give you. You can put one near each occupant of the room and allow them to adjust it as they desire.

How much power does a heat pump use?

A Heat pump can paradoxically be more than 100% efficient - you can put in 500W of electrical power to move 2500W of heat from outside to inside, cooling the outside slightly.

How hot can a heat pump run?

1. If the outdoor temperature is 40F, this heat pump can concentrate and raise the temperature to 80F (+40) to 120F (+80) . Since the lower temperature exceeds 70 F, this is good enough, and the heat pump can run at low speed, and it does the job needed to heat the interior space. , 2.

How many KW is a heat pump?

In both case, input is only 1 KW but output is 1 kw for heater and 3 KW for heat pump. Figures are only for illustration purpose.

What is the minimum flow rate for a heat exchanger?

They need a minimum flow rate of .5 GPM in order to activate the heat exchanger.

how will 50-gal gas water heater compare to 80-gal electric?

Building new construction. An option to upgrade to big tub in mstr bath comes with 80 gal elec water heater. Later, we opted to get a gas water heater since it should cost less to run. Got in the basement and saw the water heater was gas but only 50 gal. I asked about it and project manager said he'd swap in an 80-gal. Later called to say that no change would be made since salespeople claimed 50-gal gas is like having 80-gal electric. That may be true to some extent, but cost/efficiency differs from capacity. If my wife fills the big tub with 40 gal of hot water, I have only 10 gal "left over" in the 50-gal vs. 40 gal in the 80-gal. This is a 3.5 bath house and as I said the mstr has the big tub. Will a 50-gal gas heater suffice? Should I fight for the 80-gal (or 75-gal) gas? There was no indication we'd sacrifice capacity if we switched to gas.

Can you run out of hot water in a 50 gal tankless?

For new construction, I'd add in a smaller gas tankless for the master area fed by the 50 gal you have. You'd never run out of hot water for that tub if you needed to fill it, and you don't activate the tankless until the tank is virtually depleted, so no energy wasted.

How many people can live on a 30 gallon water heater?

For example, a family of 5 or more could live very comfortably on a 30-gallon tank water heater while a household of 2 might find that a 30-gallon tank can’t provide enough hot water for their needs.

What happens if your water heater is too small?

A water heater that’s too small could lead to n ever having enough hot water and/or a water heater that’s overworked, leading to frequent repairs or premature breakdown.

What does FHR mean in water heaters?

All water heaters have an FHR (first hour rating). This number signifies the number of gallons of hot water the unit can provide in a single hour, starting with a full tank of hot water.

Where to find FHR on water heater?

If you’re on a manufacturer’s site , you can find a water heater’s FHR either under the “specifications”, “features” or “performance” section (see below).

Do you need a bigger water heater tank?

If you regularly use 3 or more hot water appliances within the same hour, you might need a much larger tank than the chart above indicates. But if you rarely use more than one hot water appliance in the same hour, you might need a much smaller tank. That said, before you buy a water heater, you should be very sure that the tank size is accurate ...

Why are gas water heaters still available?

The gas hot water heaters are still available because the makers could make changes to the tanks that brought them into compliance. The 60, 80. and 100 gallon tanks are not efficient enough to meet the new energy requirements.

What is hybrid water heater?

1. Hybrid Hot Water Heater. This is not a hybrid in the auto sense meaning part gas part electric. This is the hybrid between a heat pump and a traditional electric water heater tank. A heat pump uses the heat in the room to heat the water and it is boosted by a traditional water heater tank with a heating element.

Does the 60 gallon water heater have to be electric?

In conclusion there is a new law as of 2015 and it does do away with residential 60, 75, and 80 gallon hot water heaters that are electric. There are many options, though, and some can save you greatly on your electric utility bill.

Is a commercial 80 gallon tank a loophole?

Many plumbers are installing a light commercial 80 gallon tank. This is very similar to your 80 gallon tank that is being replaced. This is kind of a loophole in the law. The drawbacks are that the tank is more expensive than residential tanks, the warranty is only for 1 year, and the installation goes against the spirit of the energy conservation law.

Did Eric and his team install a water heater?

Great Service!!! Eric and his team were going to install a water heater that we bought from Home Depot but, unfortunately the water heater was dented badly. Eric and his team told us then (with our permission) went out purchased a new water heater and installed it in the same day!! Highly Recommend.

Is hot water too hot for a shower?

We install a standard tank and then turn up the thermostat to high. The hot water is too hot for home use, but it is tempered by the mixing valve that allows only the right temperature water to your showers and faucets.

Can you replace an 80 gallon tank with a tankless electric heater?

Tankless Electric. This option is generally not used to replace and 80 gallon tank because of the amount of hot water needed in the home. If you are doing a complete remodel, then this may be an option and you could use multiple tankless heaters for each bathroom or area.

How many people can use a 50 gallon water heater?

For example, a family of 3 to 4 people should purchase a 50 – 60 gallon water heater. On the other hand, a household with 5 – 7 people may require a water heater with a 60 – 80 gallon water tank. If you live alone with a spouse, a 3o gallon water heater will provide you with enough warm water to shower, do laundry, and wash dishes.

How long does a water heater last?

A standard gas water heater is engineered with a lifespan that ranges from 8 – 12 years. On the other hand, an electric water heater is designed with a life cycle that varies from 10 – 15 years.

What does FHR mean in water heaters?

An FHR Rating indicates the total number of gallons of warm water a water heater is able to produce in one hour.

What happens if you buy a water heater that is too small?

If you purchase a water heater that is too small, you may be forced to shower with cold water. In addition, a water heater that is too small for your family is forced to work harder. This will lead to costly repairs and tune-ups.

How many gallons of water does a small bathtub hold?

A standard small bathtub is able to hold an average of 40 gallons of water. On the other hand, a large bathtub may be able to accommodate up to 140 gallons of water.

What is the phone number for a water heater in Pennsylvania?

If you need assistance sizing a water heater for your house, give our team a call by phone at (484) 206-8594. The licensed plumbers and technicians at WM Henderson provide dependable water heater repair, replacement, and installation services to homes in Pennsylvania. We also provide other types of services such as water line installation, air conditioning tune-up, furnace repair, and drain cleaning. WM Henderson provides plumbing and HVAC services in areas such as West Chester, Broomall, Coatesville, and Conshohocken. We have been providing dependable plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services to residents in Pennsylvania since 1977.

Where to find FHR rating on water heater?

To find the FHR Rating of your current water heater, you will need to locate the EnergyGuide sticker. The FHR Rating will be located on the top of this sticker on your water heater. Read More: Why It’s Important to Replace Your Lead Pipes.

Why is the water heater efficiency higher?

The Department of Energy (DOE) determined that a revision to the energy conservation standards for water heaters would result in a significant conservation of energy. This higher Energy Factor (EF) rating will be on virtually all residential gas, electric, oil and tankless gas water heaters.

When did the EF change for electric water heaters?

A new rule set out by the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) takes effect on April 16 , 2015, requiring higher Energy Factors (EF) for residential water heaters. The biggest change happens to be to the all-time favorite water heater of many homeowners in Northern Virginia, the electric water heaters over 50 gallons.

What happens if you install a water heater that is too small?

If you install a heater that is too small, it won’t meet the needs of your home. Choosing a water heater that is too large will mean constantly running warm water that you’re not using. Like Goldilocks, you want one that is just right.

Can you wait until your water heater fails?

If you are in need of a new water heater, don’t wait until yours fails. Look over Service Whale’s water heater replacement services for New York, and give us a call for a consultation or more information today.

Do you need to replace a water heater?

Everyone needs to replace their water heater at some point in time. Whether you’re noticing signs of wear like reduced efficiency or whether your water heater has just failed explosively, out you’d rather not wait when the time comes to change it.

Can you put a water heater in the largest?

Choosing a Water Heater. You may think that simply putting in the largest heater will ensure that you always have hot water. To a point this can be true, but you can also cost yourself a lot of money and efficiency if you select one that is too large or too small.

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