Deciding which hot water storage tank size is right for you

Everyone is different and their water usage will vary so choosing the right size storage tank for you hot water system will dictate what is best for your needs.

Water systems storage tanks generally range in size from 25L to 600L (sometimes more for commercial applications) but also come with different options. You can’t just throw a number out there and expect to find the hot water system that will serve you best. In this article, we will help you decide which storage tank size is right for you and your family.

Is The Size That Important?

There are 2 very important reasons why choosing the correct hot water system can make a big difference. 

What To Take Into Consideration

Take into consideration the following factors when deciding on a new hot water system storage tank.

– How many people will use hot water?

Obviously, you have to know how many people will be relying on this system. Also, how often will you have guests or relatives staying with you for a while?

– How many outlets will the heater be attached to?

Sometimes smaller is better. If you have only one shower, the heater will have more time to heat the water than if you have several showers.

If you have several showers, you will need to have a larger unit for spur-of-the-moment use, so you will need a larger tank.

– The amount of water used by your family?

Ask yourself if you have family members that take very long showers? If that’s the case, you will need a larger hot water system to accommodate everyone. 

If everyone in your family takes showers in the morning, you will need a larger unit than a family where some showers are taken in the morning while others will be taken in the afternoon.

– What type of shower heads are fitted in your bathrooms?

You might not know it but your shower head can make a big difference when it comes to water consumption.

The size of your shower head and the pressure that is required for water to pass through it, are also important.

Before shopping for your hot water heater, find out if your shower heads are water-saving. If yes, you can reduce the demand for your hot water system and save money.

Whether you run on gas or electric, can be a deciding factor when choosing the right size tank.

– Do you run on gas or electric?

There is a significant difference between whether you run on electric or on gas when choosing the right size tank for you and your family.

If your water is heated by gas, it will heat the water faster. That means the system can heat new water entering the tank fast enough to take care of all the hot water outlets shortly after the water has been moved from the tank. With an electric hot water system, you will need a larger reserve of heated water to take care of all the outlets in your home.

If you do run on gas, a small gas system will not be able to supply a large number of showers if they are all being used at once.

Also, a gas system is generally cheaper to run over electric systems. You might be able to save some money if you buy a smaller gas system. But, before running out to get a gas hot water system, find out if your gas is connected to the natural gas grid and check to see if your home has an available gas supply.

The Size of the Hot Water Tank You Need

Here is a table that will help you decide depending on if you are using a gas or electric system:

Household members	Usage (Peak (High) or off-peak (Low))	Storage tank size needed for Gas (or LPG) / Electric
1 – 3	Low High	90 / 80 L 135 / 125 L
2 – 4	Low High	135 / 125 L 160 / 160 L
3 – 6	Low High	160 / 160 L 260 / 315 L
5 – 8	Low High	170 / 250 L 340 / 400 L

Keep in mind, peak usage is when the water in your home will be used a lot at certain times such as getting ready to go to work or your kids heading off for school. That would mean that generally the morning hours will be peak usage for most of the households.

Also, if you have multiple showers that are all being used at the same time, your peak usage will be significantly higher.

Making The Right Choice

When you are ready to purchase the right hot water system tank, before running out the door, analyse the water consumption used by your family. Your calculations should be made over a good amount of time to get accurate data. Start with 2 weeks off regular work and school hours, this should provide you with meaningful data.

Take a mental note and write down what times during the day and how long showers are running. Write down how many times the hot water runs out and match those numbers with the number of showers and the length of the showers.

Once you have gathered all that data, make sure to check the type of shower heads in your bathrooms, the size of your current storage tank, and the average cost of your energy bill over a period of 2 weeks.

This is valuable information that you will need to make the right choice for the size of your hot water system storage tank. Take your needs into consideration and will you be able to save money! Here is a quality guide from Choice.com.au for your convenience.