size of HWT for basement suite

Jun 3rd, 2021 11:30 am

#1

miningminer [OP]: Member; Dec 15, 2017; 308 posts; 345 upvotes

Jun 3rd, 2021 11:30 am

We had a 2 story 3 bedroom just built for us with a legal basement suite and asked the builder to size the HWT up accordingly. Now I'm seeing they have installed a 55 gallon tank which just seems like the standard. I see some rule of thumb guidelines for sizing a tank but would like some first hand experiences. Would this be enough for 5 people in total in the household with separate laundries?

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Jun 3rd, 2021 11:36 am

#2

fergy: Deal Addict; Sep 27, 2006; 3835 posts; 873 upvotes; Not so easy there Ma…

Jun 3rd, 2021 11:36 am

miningminer wrote: ↑ We had a 2 story 3 bedroom just built for us with a legal basement suite and asked the builder to size the HWT up accordingly. Now I'm seeing they have installed a 55 gallon tank which just seems like the standard. I see some rule of thumb guidelines for sizing a tank but would like some first hand experiences. Would this be enough for 5 people in total in the household with separate laundries?

Look on the unit for the BTU rating or take a photo of the model number, some are higher than normal BTU and can provide almost continuous hot water.

Jun 3rd, 2021 12:08 pm

#3

miningminer [OP]: Member; Dec 15, 2017; 308 posts; 345 upvotes

Jun 3rd, 2021 12:08 pm

shows 40,000 BTU

Rheem PROG50T-40N

https://www.furnacesolutions.ca/wp-cont ... _PRO+G.pdf

Jun 3rd, 2021 1:03 pm

#4

pootza: Deal Addict; Dec 19, 2009; 4185 posts; 2117 upvotes

Jun 3rd, 2021 1:03 pm

You'll definitely be running out of hot water on lots of occasions even if you do your laundry in cold water only.

Jun 3rd, 2021 1:15 pm

#5

tralexus1: Jr. Member; Feb 28, 2018; 156 posts; 103 upvotes; Waterloo region

Jun 3rd, 2021 1:15 pm

pootza wrote: ↑ You'll definitely be running out of hot water on lots of occasions even if you do your laundry in cold water only.

I would think for 5 people it would be adequate... pretty standard for a family dwelling

Jun 3rd, 2021 2:37 pm

#6

pootza: Deal Addict; Dec 19, 2009; 4185 posts; 2117 upvotes

Jun 3rd, 2021 2:37 pm

tralexus1 wrote: ↑ I would think for 5 people it would be adequate... pretty standard for a family dwelling

It's a two family dwelling ... and at 40,000 BTU's they will run out.

Jun 3rd, 2021 2:51 pm

#7

KevinM56081: Deal Addict; Jun 4, 2020; 1175 posts; 1070 upvotes; Clarington, ON

Jun 3rd, 2021 2:51 pm

What province... If ontsrio, unless it's a totally custom build, it's almost guaranteed to be a rental. Trying to upgrade to a larger tank Capacity tank, or one with a faster recovery may be an option.

Jun 3rd, 2021 11:08 pm

#8

1chinaman: Sr. Member; Jan 19, 2013; 560 posts; 346 upvotes; Ottawa

Jun 3rd, 2021 11:08 pm

Mixing valve probably installed for code spec
You can always get the tank temp turned up higher to get more first hour of hot water
Chances are pretty slim you ll run out of hot water unless everybody has the same schedule

+1

Jun 4th, 2021 10:40 pm

#9

miningminer [OP]: Member; Dec 15, 2017; 308 posts; 345 upvotes

Jun 4th, 2021 10:40 pm

two family, seperate units entirely meaning seperate laundry as well.