What Size Hot Water System Do I Need?
What Size Hot Water System Do I Need?
If it’s time for an upgrade and you’re wondering “what size hot water system do I need,” there are various factors that should influence your decision.
The size of the hot water system that’s right for your household will depend on the following things:
The answers to these questions will help you make the most informed decision on which hot water system is appropriate for your household. Choosing the right size can save you money, effort – and many cold water showers!
To answer your question, “what size hot water system do I need,” here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know to choose the most appropriately sized hot water system for your household.
How Many People Use Your Hot Water System?
It is important to not only count the people who live in your house but to also consider other people who visit regularly and their hot water needs.
Here are some scenarios you might not have thought about:
Then, also consider the fact that hot water systems have a typical lifespan of over ten years – maybe it’s just you and your wife now, but in ten years are you planning on being a family of four?
When calculating your household size, take all of these things into consideration and work out the average number of people who use your hot water system every week. As an approximation, the average person generally uses 200L of water per day according to Sydney Water .
How Many Hot Water Outlets Do You Have In Your House?
Then, you need to consider how many of these are run simultaneously. If a large amount of hot water is required at the same time, you will need a bigger hot water system to keep up. For example, the kids’ bedtime routine might be bathing straight after dinner – right when you put the dishwasher on.
“How Big Hot Water System Do I Need?”
Then, you need to consider how many of these are run simultaneously. If a large amount of hot water is required at the same time, you will need a bigger hot water system to keep up. For example, the kids’ bedtime routine might be bathing straight after dinner – right when you put the dishwasher on.
How To Establish What Storage Tank Size You Need
Once you’ve worked out how many people your hot water system services on average, you can decide the appropriate size storage tank to meet your needs.
This is an indication of the average amount of hot water people use in a day and the appropriate size storage tank needed to accommodate that:
Using this as a guideline, you can consider different types of hot water systems which produce different amounts of hot water.
Electric Hot Water Heater Systems
An electric hot water system that’s connected to an off-peak tariff can be calculated as follows:
Electric hot water systems that are connected to an economy shoulder tariff can be calculated as follows:
Electric hot water systems that are connected to a peak supply tariff can be calculated as follows:
Gas Hot Water Systems
Gas hot water systems heat water rapidly using their instantaneous system via combustion of natural gas. Instead of calculating how many people use the hot water system, gas systems can be governed by how many outlets are used simultaneously. (See our blog post that breaks down whether instantaneous gas hot water systems need electricity )
Solar Hot Water Systems
Because a solar hot water system can only heat water during the daytime, most solar hot water systems are typically supplemented by an additional electric or gas booster to compensate for the lack of sunshine and high demand.
Heat Pump Hot Water Systems
Heat pumps are significantly more energy-efficient as they use electricity to move hot or cold air from place to place rather than generating it. As a result, they provide up to 10-15 times more energy than they use. You can optimise a heat pump even further by connecting it to an economy tariff.
Key Takeaways
Before buying a new hot water system, it’s worth establishing your water usage habits and calculating what size hot water heater system your household requires to supply hot water sufficiently.
You can choose a hot water heater system based on how much hot water your household uses, or you can attempt to save hot water and buy a smaller hot water heater to cut costs.
Take note of the hot water system installation costs involved with installing different hot water systems. Is a bigger hot water system required, and will changing the water heating system be more efficient? Or, should you just buy a newer version of the same thing?
Before deciding on the best hot water system for you, be sure to decipher whether you need a hot water system replacement. Buying and installing a new hot water system can be pricey, so make sure it’s really necessary.
Finding the right hot water system to meet your household needs can be tricky, so it’s best to consult with a hot water plumbing specialist before making any decisions. Get in with us at Bayside Plumbing , and we can provide a quote or even just some professional plumbing advice.
If you’re uncertain about what size hot water system you need, our team of expert gas plumbers & 24-hour emergency plumbers can assist you with this process.
(For more hot water plumbing tips & insights, see our dedicated plumbing blog ! We break down hot water system installation regulations & why your hot water system may be leaking! )
Disclaimer : Please note that all information provided on this page is general in nature. We strive to provide accurate and reliable information at the time of publishing. However, this should not be interpreted as advice as it’s general in nature. You should seek a professional opinion to ensure that the information is suited to your situation.