What Size Hot Water Unit Do I Need?

Wondering what size hot water unit your home needs?

Your existing hot water unit may have carked it, is on the blink, or perhaps you’ve just had it since the dark ages so it’s time to get a new one in. Whatever the reason for a new hot water unit, it can be easy to get so overwhelmed with all the different types, brands, sizes and models. Specifically, though, it’s important to consider what size hot water system you need.

If you’re stuck on deciding how big (or small) your hot water unit should be, let’s look at a few factors and other variables that come in to play, and of course, it always stands that your local Perth plumber will be able to determine exactly what size you’ll need.

Here’s a quick guide on the hot water unit types and sizes available

Before looking at what size hot water unit you may need, find out what types of hot water units are available.

Most common types of Hot Water Systems used

Unless you’re living off the grid and prefer to boil your water in a billy can over a campfire, there are currently three types of energy sources that can service your property:

Electricity

For electric hot water units, your water is heated using an element at the bottom of the tank.

Gas

Gas storage hot water systems use a flame powered by natural gas or LPG, which also means they can be heated at a faster rate.

Solar

The most environmentally friendly option of the three, solar powered hot water units rely on the sun to heat solar panels connected to a heat pumper water heater.

Once you know what heat source is available at your property, it’s time to choose what type of hot water you’ll need, and these come in two variations:

Storage Hot Water Unit

Not surprisingly, the water in a storage hot water unit is stored within the tank and is already heated to the correct temperature for use.

Instantaneous/Continuous Flow Hot Water Unit

Instantaneous or continuous flow hot water systems only heat and dispense hot water as needed – it is not stored within a tank.

How many people in the property?

Now you know the energy source and the type of hot water unit to choose, it’s time to think about how many people reside at the property, to determine the actual size of the hot water unit.

The number of residents on a normal day will be really important to determine the amount of hot water that’s required. For example, how many showers will be taken per day? How many showers will be run on hot or cold water? What is the main use for the hot water?

Is it a commercial property which required hot water for cooking and cleaning? This can have a big impact on the size of the hot water unit compared a private residence.

Closely related to this factor is also:

What size is the dwelling?

Think about how many bathrooms or kitchens the property has, and also how far away these fixtures are from each other and the designated location of the hot water unit. For example, a small hot water unit servicing hot water to 3 bathrooms, a kitchen and a kitchenette all on the other side of the home is not going to be ideal as the hot water will take a really long time to get there, and waste precious cold water in the meantime!

Speak to your local Perth plumber about how many people reside at the property and what the daily requirements will be – they’ll be able to advise you on the exact size suitable.

Where do I put a hot water unit?

Now you’ve considered the heat source, type, number of people residing at the property, if the property is commercially or privately used and also the size of the dwelling, one last thing to think about before choosing a new hot water system is the space your property has available to accommodate your hot water system.

Some hot water units can only be installed outside and some only inside, but some can be installed either inside or outside. Storage hot water systems are far larger than their instantaneous counterparts (because the tank is storing litres and litres of water), so consider this, and also surrounding space as well as access to pipework, which will be required.

How long do hot water systems last?

While not related to what size hot water system you should choose, many people do wonder this when upgrading their hot water system, so it’s an important element to note.

Though broad, the general lifespan of a hot water system should be between 6 and 13 years, with replacements recommended if the tank gets to 12 years old. The brand, quality, how much hot water you use, and a few other factors can have an impact on how long your hot water system lasts, so it’s a good idea to also speak to your Perth plumber about this before upgrading.

What size hot water unit should I get?

Hopefully by now you have a better understanding of the different types of hot water units available, but you should always seek the advice of a licensed plumber.

A quality, licensed plumber will always recommend, supply and install your hot water unit with all the required regulations in check, as well as the additional valve kits required to complete a compliant installation.

At MC2 Plumbing, we don’t cut corners when it comes to installing your hot water systems, so give Lee a call on 0424309622 today to discuss your needs and he’ll get you back into hot water in next to no time.

The face of MC2 Plumbing, Lee is your friendly, nice-guy-next-door type bloke. Once a professional tap dancer, Lee went from dancing on taps around the world to fixing taps in Perth (with over 20 years in the trade).

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