We have found that most folks never think about hot water until it isn’t there anymore. That stands to reason, of course. When you step into a hot shower, you don’t expect it to turn icy on you without warning. And no one wants to stand in front of their hot water and get nothing but a cold stream.
If your water heater is incorrectly-sized for your hot water needs, though, it might not be able to accommodate your family’s hot water needs. Bathing will be all but impossible if the dishwasher is running. You’ll have to cut showers short because they’ll go frigid in an instant.
At Roach Energy, we install highly rated traditional and on-demand water heaters in Charles Town and throughout the Eastern Panhandle region. Here’s an explanation of how we identify the perfect water heater size for your home.
The most important info you need in choosing the best water heater is your peak hot water usage. To determine your home’s peak hot water needs, identify the time of day when hot water use is highest, considering how many people live in your household. Estimate how much hot water you use during that busiest one-hour period — this is your peak hour demand. A professional technician can help you calculate this.
Traditional water heaters have a large tank of water that they heat using oil or gas. This hot water can then be deployed throughout your home.
Having identified your peak hour demand, we can use it to size a storage tank water heater by checking the unit’s first hour rating — the amount of hot water it can deliver in one hour starting with a full tank. This rating depends on tank size and heating power. It’s outlined on the EnergyGuide label or in manufacturer specs. It’s essential to choose a unit with a first-hour rating that meets or slightly exceeds your peak demand to ensure reliable hot water without wasting energy.
Tankless water heaters only run when an appliance or fixture needs hot water. They are exceptionally efficient, using up to 34% less energy than traditional systems. They also don’t have a first-hour rating. They have flow rates.
To find the correct flow rate for your household needs, we would add up the flow rates of the various showers, faucets and hot water appliances in your home. With this cumulative rate, we can identify the best on-demand water heater to match it.
The best time to replace your water heater isn’t after it fails — it’s before it becomes an emergency. Planning your upgrade gives you the time to explore your options and choose a system that truly fits your home, budget and hot water needs.
At Roach Energy, our experts help you find the right solution, whether that’s a reliable A.O. Smith traditional storage tank water heater or a high-efficiency Rinnai tankless system that delivers endless hot water and long-term energy savings.
If you’re ready to improve comfort and efficiency, we’re here to help. Contact Roach Energy today for a FREE estimate on your water heater upgrade.
