30-Gallon Hot Water Heater vs. 40-Gallon Hot Water Heater
Whether you want to buy one for the first time, or it’s getting old and can’t handle the heat, purchasing a new water heater can enhance your cleaning and showers. However, it is vital to get the sizing right to avoid running out of hot water when you need it. Many people particularly get confused on whether to buy a 30-Gallon Hot Water Heater or a 40-Gallon Hot Water Heater. Here is an exclusive look at 30-Gallon Hot Water Heater vs. 40-Gallon Hot Water Heater. There are several factors to consider when choosing whether to get a 30-Gallon Hot Water Heater or a 40-Gallon Hot Water Heater.
Significance Of Proper Sizing
Owning a water heater that is too small will not keep up with your demands for hot water. This is primarily the case during morning hours when everyone wants some hot water to shower simultaneously. This might also be the case if you carry out several things that require hot water simultaneously, such as washing dishes, laundry, and showering. This indicates why you need to get the right-sized gallon of hot water based on your needs. However, purchasing the largest water heater you can find is not the solution unless you require one that big. The issue with getting a bigger water heater than you require is that you will heat more water than you require and keep it hot until you use it, elevating your utility bills. Monitoring your needs to get the proper water heater size will help you balance energy efficiency and hot water.
Your Family Size
The number of individuals that live in your house affects how much hot water you require. Both 30- and 40-gallon water heater tanks are on the small end and function best for just some people. A 30-gallon hot water heater would generally be sufficient for a house with one or two people. A family of 3 to 4 individuals will probably require a 40-gallon water heater, although you may require a bigger tan if you regularly use a lot of hot water.
How You Use Hot Water
You should also consider the average amount of hot water you use and how you use it. Analyzing how you use your hot water will help determine if you have high demands at particular times and the amount of hot water you require daily. Some of the questions to consider when determining your water usage include; the number of showers family members take each day, how long do the showers last, do several people take showers at a particular time of the day, how regular you operate your dishwasher, whether you use oversize, deep tubs frequently and whether you wash laundry in hot water. These considerations will help you determine how much hot water you use daily and how much hot water you will need to keep up with your demands.
Water Heater First-Hour Rating
The first-hour rating is an essential way of measuring how much hot water a tank-style water heater can yield in one hour with the assumption that it has a full tank of hot water at the start of the hour (https://www.hunker.com/13769223/how-to-choose-a-tank-style-hot-water-heater). Although the size of the tank is an essential factor, the heating element or burner also affects the first-hour rating. The source and size of heat might also play a part in the total rating. You can find out the first-hour rating you require based on water usage. Think of the peak time you use hot water in your house, such as showering, bathing kids, washing clothes, or running the dishwasher. Determine the average amount of hot water you use in this time and get a water heater with a first-hour rating that matches your usage. For example, according to CenterPoint Energy, filling a tub requires 15 to 25gallons of water, a dishwasher takes around 5 to 10 gallons, a shower uses about three gallons per minute, and a washing machine takes about 25 to 40 gallons for each load.
Analyzing Water Heater Specifications
Most, if not all, of the current tank-style water heaters, come with an Energy Guide label to provide you with crucial information about the heater. The label should always offer a first-hour rating in the upper-left corner. The label is indicated as ‘capacity (first-hour rating) and the gallon measurement below it. This will tell you the number of hot water gallons the tank should produce per hour when it begins with a full hot water tank. Check the label to ensure the unit can offer you sufficient hot water during peak usage.
Which Should You Get; A 30 Or A 40 Gallon Hot Water Heater?
The difference between a 30 versus 40-gallon heater is relatively tiny when it comes to standby loss. You won’t save much in energy loss when using the 30-gallon heater rather than the 40-gallon heater. Adding more insulation can help save more energy. The ef 0.90 units will have a similar standby loss regardless of the tank volume. You can consider getting a 40-gallon water heater if you often take long showers or have multiple guests taking consecutive showers. Otherwise, a 30-gallon unit will be okay unless it’s areas that have 40F water. Ultimately, one to two people require a 30-gallon water heater, while two to four require a 40-gallon water heater. If you are five or more people, you should consider getting a 50 to 80-gallon water heater.
Bottom Line
That’s it! We hope you can now take your side in the 30-Gallon Hot Water Heater vs. 40-Gallon Hot Water Heater debate based on your water usage. If you think you will ever require to take consecutive showers or wash a load of laundry, it will be more satisfying if you don’t run out of hot water. In this case, a 40-gallon hot water heater is better than a 30-gallon hot water heater. However, if you are one or two people in your house and don’t use hot water regularly, a 30-gallon heater will be fine.
