Size A Water Heater For Your Home

Name: Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electric
Address: 325 Hopping Brook Rd, 01746, Holliston, MA
Telephone: 1-800-462-9710
Rating: 5

If your hot water heater is getting on in years, it's best to determine the type of replacement you will need before it fails. Conventional storage systems are available today with features that increase efficiency. Tankless systems produce hot water on demand, making them a highly efficient system of choice. Getting the right size system for your household will balance needs and costs.

Equipment Type

Storage Water Heater: This type of water heater is sized via its First Hour Rating (FHR). This is simply an estimation of the peak demand for heated water when a family uses it most. The Energy Star website has a chart for storage needs that you can use for estimating your FHR needs.

Tankless Water Heaters: Tankless heaters only heat water as it is used, or on demand. If choosing tankless, you will need to assess the flow rate, or GPM (Gallons Per Minute), that needs to be supplied at peak times. When using simultaneous access, such as a shower, clothes washer and dishwasher, the GPM needed will have to be determined to adequately produce sufficient heated water. You can find information on sizing a tankless water heater on Energy Star's site.

With the storage, or tanked heater, peak usage, capacity size (gallons) and heating type (gas or electric) must also be configured. For tankless, the difference between the incoming water temperature and desired outgoing hot water temperature, called temperature rise, should also be included in the determination for proper sizing.

Other Factors to Consider

Fuel Type: Determine the most energy-efficient fuel for your home. If you have been using electricity, you may find that propane or natural gas is less expensive. Fuel availability and competition in your area should also be considered.
Installation. Changing from one type of unit to another may be worth higher installation costs if energy savings will significantly impact future energy bills.

Getting the right size water heater keeps your costs low, while meeting all of your hot water demands. If you need help sizing your equipment, contact our expert plumbers at Rodenhiser. When you have plumbing questions, we're always ready to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about sizing a new water heater and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.

Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

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Both Alex and Patrick were knowledgeable, courteous, and professional. They made a change that might have solved the recent problem and have structured a more complete solution. We agreed to this...
Mike was thorough, thoughtful and considerate. Covered their shoes before entering, surveyed my issue and provided an explanation of the services and costs. Great Job!
Alex did a great job providing an explanation of the services provided and went out of his way to offer assistance/advice on other issues outside of our scheduled maintenance visit.
Brian did an excellent job inspecting our 18-year old boiler and replacing some of the accessory hardware that needed it, he also adjusted the outgoing hot water settings for our radiators and...
Rodenhiser is my one stop shop!!! They take care of my HVAC, electrical, and plumbing issues & are always helpful addressing any questions I may have about the systems in my house! Everyone...
Chris G. and Nick V. showed up bright and early at 8am to fix my water heater issue. They were on time, polite and were able to fix an issue that has been plaguing my house for a good year. They...

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1-800-462-9710

You Can Depend On Rodenhiser

Call Rodenhiser at 1-800-462-9710

When you are looking for plumbing, electrical, heating or air conditioning in the Route 495 / 128 area, you will be delighted that you called Massachusetts' trusted choice since 1928.

With a total dedication to professional workmanship and excellent service, discover why families and businesses continue to trust Rodenhiser after generations of service

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^*Conditions apply, not applicable with any other offer, nor off any trip or diagnostic fee, or previous service. No cash value. Call For details. ^*For WEB-AC-CHECK Offer also: Promotional price limited to 1 system per home, additional units will be billed at full price. Refrigerant not included. Includes standard 1in air filter, other sizes subject to additional charges. Residential systems only. Must reside within our service area. *For WEB-A-50 Offer also: Not valid on preventative maintenance nor prior purchases. *For WEB-A-75 Offer also: Call or see specials page for more information. *For WEB-H-3250 Offer also: Subject to rebate eligibility and qualifying system choice. The $189 A/C System check examines and assesses the mechanical parts of the air conditioning system. Refrigerant not included. Promotional price applicable to 1 unit per household, additional units will charged at standard rate. Limited to residential homes within our service area. *$79 per drain. The $79 drain evaluation offer does not include any modifications, such as the installation of cleanouts or access points, required to perform the inspection on older homes with limited access to existing plumbing infrastructure. Conditions apply, not compatible with any other offer or discount.
^*Heating system check terms and conditions: Residential Only. Must reside within our service area. Offer only available to 1 unit per household additional units are at full price. Can not be combined with other offers
^*Late Season Special Extra Conditions: Gas Systems only. No Discounts on oil systems. Promotional price limited to one system per home, additional systems will be charged at full price. Residential Systems only. Must reside within our service area. ^*For EV Charger Offer also: valid only when the system is purchased through Rodenhiser.