What size hot water system do I need?
Making decisions can be a challenging task, from choosing our meals, selecting our outfits, to deciding which colour of shoes to purchase, these everyday choices may seem relatively straightforward. But there are also more significant decisions that need to be made such as determining the appropriate size for a hot water system.
What to consider before purchasing a hot water heater
If you are building your dream home and going through the fixtures you will need, including essential appliances such as a hot water system, the decisions can become a little overwhelming. Undoubtedly, selecting the most suitable hot water system to install within your budget is of utmost importance. It will be the same if you are in the market to upgrade your current system. Another thing to take into consideration is the type of hot water system that will be best suited to your needs. The options for heating are gas, instant , electric, heat pump , and solar. One step you can take is to gather information to help with your decision-making, bearing in mind once you have installed a hot water system it can be challenging, and expensive, to replace if it turns out to be unsuitable.
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Sizing guide to determine your household’s hot water requirements
A rough guideline to help is:
- In an average household, each person will use around 50 litres of hot water per day
- It is recommended to have at least 1.5 days capacity in a storage system
So, for example:
- A 3-bedroom house, with 4 people living in it:
# 75 litres x 4 people = a 300l tank is required
- A property with 6 people living in it would be:
# 75 litres x 6 people = a 450l tank would be necessary
With this general guide, you should be able to work out what size hot water heater will suit your household.
Factors affecting your hot water system capacity
When deciding on what size hot water heater your household needs, you should also give further consideration to the following factors:
- Determine your peak hot water demands
Work out approximately the maximum amount of hot water your household requires during peak usage periods. Which is in the morning or evening when multiple people are using hot water simultaneously. Take into consideration the number of bathrooms, showers, sinks, appliances, and the frequency of hot water usage.
- Consider efficiency and recovery rate
Keep in mind that different types of hot water systems have varying efficiency levels and recovery rates. Tankless water heaters, for example, provide hot water on demand but may have limitations in terms of flow rate. Traditional tank-based systems have a storage capacity and a specific recovery rate. Consider these factors when selecting a hot water system.
- Consult with professionals
There are calculations that can be made to determine the most suitable size hot water heater for your needs, however, these are not always easy to work out. The calculations are based on adding together the peak demand, water flow rate, and temperature rise and the answer should assist with giving you an approximate suitable hot water system size. As these calculations can be a bit tricky it's recommended to consult a plumbing professional or a hot water system supplier for assistance. Hot water system plumbers have the knowledge and experience to be able to provide personalised advice based on these calculations and your personal requirements.
Should you have any questions about hot water systems, simply call Leak Free Plumbing Solutions on 0422 392 447 to speak to one of our hot water specialists.