It’s simple for a family to use a lot of hot water without even realizing it. Between all the family members who need to shower, the loads of laundry that need to be constantly washed, and dirty dishes that need to be scrubbed, you need a water heater that can keep up.
If you’re wondering what to do when your hot water keeps running out, then know you have two options: get a better water heater or a larger water tank.
Let’s dive into the best hot water heater for a large family and what your best options are so you can be fully equipped to improve your home to suit your family’s needs.
Best Hot Water Heater for Large Families
While the best hot water heater depends on your unique needs, here is a short list of some good hot water heaters for you to consider if you have a large family:
1. Best Gas: Rheem Natural Gas Tank Water Heater
If you’re looking for an energy-efficient approach to guarantee that you have a supply of hot water on hand for family use, you may want to check out a natural gas water heater. With tank sizes ranging from 40 to 75 gallons, the Rheem Performance Power Vent series is a popular option for a tank-style gas water heater.
2. Best Electric: Rheem Electric Tank Water Heater
The Rheem Performance Plus series of electric water heaters provide a selection of features and advantages that any homeowner will value — such as 62 gallons of hot water delivered in the first hour, plus a 50-gallon tank offering enough capacity for households with three to five occupants.
3. Best Tankless, Electric: Ecosmart ECO 27
One of the best hot water heaters for a large family, the ECO 27 from EcoSmart is well-suited to meet your home’s hot water needs. Tankless water heaters are a highly efficient way to keep your home’s water hot when you want it. The flow rates of this larger model range from 2.7 to 6.5 GPM, depending on the temperature of the entering water.
Residences in warmer locations can receive flow from numerous showers and sinks at once and this heater is typically sufficient to operate a shower and sink fixture at the same time.
4. Best Budget: Rheem Performance Electric Tank Water Heater
When selecting an electric water heater, it’s worthwhile to consider both price and functionality. The Performance series comes in 30, 40, and 50-gallon tank sizes and has a 6-year warranty. Whichever size you select, the tank has a glass interior and an anode rod to prevent corrosion from hard minerals.
It can be a great budget-friendly option
5. Best Hybrid: A. O. Smith Electric Water Heater with Hybrid Heat Pump
You can choose a hybrid electric water heater like the A. O. Smith model if you’re hoping to increase energy efficiency. The Signature Premier Electric Water Heater uses outside air to warm water as needed.
Even though electric water heaters aren’t often known for being energy-efficient, this model has earned the Energy Star designation. It has a first-hour delivery of 46 gallons and can provide hot water to homes of 3 to 4 persons.
6. Best Portable: Eccotemp L5 Portable Outdoor Tankless Water Heater
With this portable water heater from Eccotemp, you can guarantee that you always have hot water on demand, no matter where you are. The L5 is a small device with a flow rate of up to 1.5 GPM that is ideal for camping, off-grid living, or supplying warm water in the backyard.
What to Consider Before Buying a Hot Water Heater
As we mentioned above, it’s important to consider the unique needs of your family before you can narrow down the best water heater for you. Here are 3 things to consider when choosing a water heater for your home:
Tank Size
To increase the amount of water a heater can warm at a time, you could purchase a larger tank. Having a larger tank will allow you to hold more hot water at once, which is a benefit.
The water can be heated with either gas or electricity. Tank water heaters are very cost-effective in terms of the price of the unit as well as the cost of repair and the installation process is quick.
The drawbacks are that it will require more room and take longer to heat the water inside; once that water is gone, you will need to wait between 30 and 40 minutes for the typical gas water heater to reheat and twice that long for the typical electric water heater.
A tankless water heater (which heats water as you need it) can be a highly efficient source of hot water. It doesn’t take up all the space that a water heater with a tank requires so you can have the advantage of plenty of hot water and space.
Energy Efficiency
Your water heater should serve your home well — not add an unreasonable expense. Always check the energy efficiency of a water heater before purchasing. Many homeowners don’t realize how much it costs to keep water hot.
The right water heater can save you a lot of money on your energy bill, while the wrong one can cost you.
Durability
The best hot water heater for a large family is one that can handle the use your family will require. Don’t choose a water heater that isn’t designed to heat the amount of water you need.
If you have questions about how to calculate the load you require from a water heater or if you need recommendations on the best water heater for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at John C. Flood.
Find the Best Water Heater for Your Family
If you have any questions about water heaters, finding the best one for your home, or the installation process, John C. Flood can help. Call us today at 703-214-5611 for same day service!
