How big is big enough?

[C5RAP]

We are a family of 4. We’re in the process of building a 3 br/3 bath vacation/rental/future (3yrs) relocation home in SW Florida. The house comes standard with a 60gal. elect. HWH but I’m tempted to increase that to 80 gal. We currently have a 75 gas and never run out of HW (when the heater is working).

I’m not totally convinced that the extra 20 gal is needed or worth the $500 that it will take to upgrade.

Although the house has 3 full bathrooms, all will be showers except for the large soaking tub in the master that we’ve never used in our other houses and probable less likely to use here since we’ll have a spa in the pool.

What are your thoughts?

[majakdragon]

Kinda an impossible question to answer as only you know what your needs and schedules are. The newer water saver showerheads allow 2-1/2 gallons per minute flow. Thats whatever mixture of hot/cold that you select. 4 short showers would probably be possible and if a short interval could be inserted here it would certainly help. Good luck.

[594tough]

Yes, difficult question. Not a clear choice here. In your location I assume the incoming ground water is quite warm compared to other parts of the country, so your recovery rate will be faster. Also, your overall cost of heating that water is less. SO, an easy answer is to say you would be happier with an 80 gallon; but in this case I don't see that you would be that much "happier"; so does the initial cost of the larger tank, and slightly higher operating costs provide that much extra benefit?

2 cents:

Based only on the brief description of the situation which you have provided, I believe I would go with the 60 gallon.