Water Heaters - Need some water heater advise ASAP

I'm building a house. It's going to have 2 and 1/2 baths. There will be 2-3 people in the household and sometimes family members will visit.

My only choice for a variety of reasons is an electric water heater.

I would like a 50 gallon heater. The problem is that the space to install the water heater is narrow. I can put in a tall 50 gallon water heater or I can put in two 30 gallon water heaters in two different places. One water heater would run the master bath and the washer and the other water heater will run the second bath as well as the third bath and the kitchen.

Thanks for the help!!

I'm building a house. It's going to have 2 and 1/2 baths. There will be 2-3 people in the household and sometimes family members will visit.

My only choice for a variety of reasons is an electric water heater.

I would like a 50 gallon heater. The problem is that the space to install the water heater is narrow. I can put in a tall 50 gallon water heater or I can put in two 30 gallon water heaters in two different places. One water heater would run the master bath and the washer and the other water heater will run the second bath as well as the third bath and the kitchen.

Thanks for the help!!


i like the idea of two water heaters as both probabliy will never go out at the same time. besides, if they are smaller it will recover faster. the only thing about two is th reqirement for two electrical circuits. but, with a new construction, that should be minimal. there is always the new tankless water heaters. they cost more but are reputed to be more efficient.

It is usually a mistake to undersize electric WH due to slow recovery. In my opinion, a 50 is not enough. 2 30's are only marginally better, as they may have lower wattage elements. I would suggest 2 40's. The 40 probably cost just about the same as a 30.

And since you are having the house built, you should really look into having a hot water recirculation pump installed. I have never see one in action, but they sound like they are a smart add on.