what size tankless water heater to replace a 50 gallon
I replaced my 50-gallon storage water heater with a tankless unit, and I’m glad I did. I did my research and found that a 9.5 GPM tankless water heater was the right size for my needs. I’m able to run multiple appliances at the same time without running out of hot water. I’m also saving money on my energy bills because tankless water heaters are more efficient than storage water heaters.
Determine Your Hot Water Usage
The first step in choosing the right size tankless water heater is to determine your hot water usage. You can do this by tracking your hot water usage for a few days. Note how many showers you take, how often you run the dishwasher and washing machine, and how long you spend in the sink washing dishes or brushing your teeth.
Once you have a good understanding of your hot water usage, you can use a tankless water heater sizing calculator to estimate the size of tankless water heater you need. These calculators are available online and from tankless water heater manufacturers.
I used a tankless water heater sizing calculator and determined that I needed a 9.5 GPM tankless water heater. This size tankless water heater is able to provide me with all the hot water I need, even when I’m running multiple appliances at the same time.
Here are some tips for determining your hot water usage⁚
- Keep a log of your hot water usage for a few days. Note how many showers you take, how often you run the dishwasher and washing machine, and how long you spend in the sink washing dishes or brushing your teeth.
- Use a tankless water heater sizing calculator to estimate the size of tankless water heater you need.
- Talk to a qualified plumber about your hot water usage and the size of tankless water heater that is right for you.
By following these tips, you can choose the right size tankless water heater for your needs and enjoy the benefits of endless hot water.
Consider Your Appliance Requirements
Once you know your hot water usage, you need to consider the appliance requirements in your home. Some appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, require more hot water than others. If you have a large family or frequently use multiple appliances at the same time, you will need a tankless water heater with a higher flow rate.
I have a family of four and we frequently use multiple appliances at the same time. I also have a dishwasher and a washing machine. I chose a 9.5 GPM tankless water heater because it is able to provide me with all the hot water I need, even when I’m running multiple appliances at the same time.
Here are some tips for considering your appliance requirements⁚
- Make a list of all the appliances in your home that use hot water.
- Determine the flow rate of each appliance. You can find this information in the appliance’s user manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
- Add up the flow rates of all the appliances that you use simultaneously.
- Choose a tankless water heater with a flow rate that is equal to or greater than the total flow rate of your appliances.
By following these tips, you can choose a tankless water heater that is the right size for your needs and provides you with all the hot water you need.
Estimate Your Recovery Rate
The recovery rate of a tankless water heater is the amount of hot water it can produce per minute. The recovery rate is measured in gallons per minute (GPM). The higher the recovery rate, the more hot water the tankless water heater can produce.
To estimate your recovery rate, you need to know your peak hot water demand. Your peak hot water demand is the maximum amount of hot water you use at any one time. You can estimate your peak hot water demand by adding up the flow rates of all the appliances that you use simultaneously.
Once you know your peak hot water demand, you can use the following formula to estimate your recovery rate⁚
Recovery rate = Peak hot water demand + 20%
The 20% buffer is added to ensure that you have enough hot water to meet your needs, even during peak usage.
For example, if my peak hot water demand is 5 GPM, then I would need a tankless water heater with a recovery rate of at least 6 GPM.
By following these steps, you can estimate your recovery rate and choose a tankless water heater that is the right size for your needs.