What Size Water Heater Do I Need For My Covina Home?

When installing a new water heater in your Covina home, it is important to get one that is the appropriate size. Of course, one that is too small will not handle the capacity you need, so you will be stuck with water that is not quite hot enough.

You may think to just buy one that you are sure can more than handle the capacity you need, but there are drawbacks to this strategy. A water heater that is “too big” will also draw more power, resulting in waste and unnecessarily high bills. Plus, it will cost more up front than you really need to spend.

The trick is to get a water heater that is the correct size for your needs. For a conventional water heater with a tank, the metric you will need to refer to is the unit’s first hour rating, or FHR. To determine the necessary FHR, you first need to determine during which hour of the day your home uses the most water. Typically, this is either first thing in the morning or later in the evening, when most people are bathing. Once you know this, determine what the water usage is during that hour based on average usage for each task. For example, let’s say a typical morning in your home consists of:

  • 3 showers (average of 12 gallons each)
  • 1 food preparation (5 gallons)
  • 1 hand dishwashing (4 gallons)

That’s about 45 gallons of hot water needed during that hour, so you need a unit with an FHR somewhere in that ballpark. The U.S. Department of Energy has a good worksheet to use for these measurements, which includes average usage rates for common household hot water tasks.

If you are looking at getting a tankless water heater system, the process is a little more complicated. The important figure to know in that situation is the maximum temperature increase possible for a particular flow rate. That means adding up the flow rates for all the various appliances you may use at once, then figuring out how much you need to increase the temperature.

If you find any of this confusing, consider a consulting a Covina plumber during the selection process. That will ensure you get the water heater that is right for you.

SAME-DAY SERVICE AVAILABLE!
By submitting this form, I agree to receive texts and emails from Ace Pelizon Plumbing. Opt-out anytime by replying "STOP" or clicking "unsubscribe". Standard rates apply. See our Privacy Policy for more information.
Recent Homeowner's Tips
Categories: Water Heaters
4 Benefits Of Tankless Water HeatersNovember 21, 2016You’ve probably dealt with your energy bills spiking when it’s extremely hot or very cold because you suddenly need to run your home comfort equipment all of the time. Luckily,… Read more »
How To Shut Off Your Gas During An EmergencyNovember 7, 2016There are many things plumbers don’t expect homeowners to know about repairing things around the home. In fact, some things we don’t even want homeowners to attempt since a plumber… Read more »
The Importance Of Water Heater InspectionsOctober 17, 2016We use our water heaters throughout the year to heat water for showers, dishes, the laundry, and general cleaning or handwashing. But the time of year you probably need it… Read more »
Service Area Map
Calls Answered 24/7 626-412-0601 Emergency Services Available
Service You Can Count On!
Schedule Service Online Schedule Appointment Professional Plumbing Service
© 2024 Ace Pelizon Plumbing.Content, including images, displayed on this website is protected by copyright laws. Downloading, republication, retransmission or reproduction of content on this website is strictly prohibited.