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Tank gallons from your peak-hour demand, or tankless flow and BTU/kW from showers running at once. Includes install parts, permit and a typical installed price.
Typical sizes for a mid-latitude climate at 120°F. Match first-hour rating, not tank gallons alone.
Heat pump models recover slower; size up one step if showers run back to back.
Add the flow of everything that runs at the same time.
At a 70°F rise, one 199k BTU condensing unit delivers about 5.4 GPM.
Installed cost, running cost and lifespan.
Typical US ranges at average utility rates. Rebates for heat pump models vary by state.
Size a tank by its first-hour rating, not just gallons. A typical estimate is 20 gallons per shower in the busiest hour plus sinks and appliances. Most 3–4 person homes land at a 50 gallon gas or 65 gallon electric tank.
The gallons of hot water a full tank delivers in one hour. It is printed on the yellow EnergyGuide label. Gas tanks recover faster, so a 50 gallon gas tank often out-delivers a 50 gallon electric one.
Add up the flow of fixtures used at once (about 2 GPM per shower, 1.5 per faucet) and the temperature rise from your incoming water to the setpoint. Colder groundwater needs a bigger unit for the same flow.
BTU per hour ≈ GPM × 500 × temperature rise ÷ efficiency. Two showers in a cold climate (4 GPM, 80°F rise) need about 170,000 BTU.
Whole-home units often draw 100–150 amps on 2–3 circuits. Many 100 A and some 200 A panels can't support that without an upgrade.
They use about a third of the electricity of a standard electric tank. Federal tax credits and utility rebates often cover a large part of the price. They need a space of roughly 700 cu ft or ducting.
120°F balances scald safety and energy use. Some households set 140°F with a mixing valve for added capacity and bacteria control.
Tank models usually last 8–12 years, tankless 15–20 with annual flushing. Hard water shortens both.