[Arctic Fox]

We have a 40-gallon tank (electric) that is 26 years old and seems to be in perfect working order.

When it does fail, does it make sense to install a smaller one as there are only the two of us?

Most online references say a 30-gallon would be sufficient.

Would it be cheaper to run, or are they all so well-insulated these days...

Thank you

[retiredguy123]

Definitely a bad idea. 40 gallons is a pretty standard size, and a buyer will expect at least a 40 gallon tank. A smaller tank may not even comply with the building code. Any savings on electricity would be minimal. Note that, if you have a large spa type tub, you would probably need a 60 gallon water heater.

[Bill14564]

I assume you mean 30 gallon rather than 3 gallon.

Some thoughts:

- Taking into consideration the expectations of a potential buyer makes sense. You wouldn't want to lose a sale because of this choice.

- Cost may help you decide. A quick search turned up prices in the $500 range for 30 gallon but closer to $400 for 40 gallon.

- Whatever size you buy, you will still need the same amount of energy to heat the water. Using 20gals of hot water means heating 20gals of water again; it doesn't matter if that water goes into a 30 gallon tank or a 40 gallon tank.

- I suspect that the tanks are pretty efficient at holding water at a certain temperature so you wouldn't see much difference, if any, between the 30gal and 40gal tanks. (Note: Unless the 30gal is designed to save space and includes less insulation which would result in costing a little more to hold temperature)

[Topspinmo]

IMO I wouldn’t. You say two people, probably be ok as long as two of don’t take shower right after each other and leave water running the whole time both are showering. If your house like mine I got run shower for 30 to 45 seconds just to get hot water back to master shower. Add time takes two people to shower if they don’t cut water off between washing pretty much use up 20 plus more gallons which means the second person will get Luke warm water. Now if like me I rinse off, shut shower off, wash my face, turn shower on to rinse, shut off while washing my hair, turn on to rinse, shut off while washing my body, then rinse. I haven’t timed and measured but I bet I’m using less than 10 gallons, which 1/4 used just get hot water back there. I don’t think see any benifits using smaller tank?

Probably won’t save anything on water or price of water heater, 40 gallons the popular choice in most cases?

[village dreamer]

and if you have guest with a 30 gal , and try to take 4 showers in a row someone's getting a cold shower. stay with a 40 gal. water heater.

[LeRoySmith]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I rinse off, shut shower off, wash my face, turn shower on to rinse, shut off while washing my hair, turn on to rinse, shut off while washing my body, then rinse.

Dad, is it you?

[retiredguy123]

OP, apparently the code does not require a specific water heater size. But, if you do downsize the water heater tank, I would suggest that you provide full and clear disclosure to a buyer. Otherwise, you could face a lawsuit for deviating from the builder's standard size.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

IMO I wouldn’t. You say two people, probably be ok as long as two of don’t take shower right after each other and leave water running the whole time both are showering. If your house like mine I got run shower for 30 to 45 seconds just to get hot water back to master shower. Add time takes two people to shower if they don’t cut water off between washing pretty much use up 20 plus more gallons which means the second person will get Luke warm water. Now if like me I rinse off, shut shower off, wash my face, turn shower on to rinse, shut off while washing my hair, turn on to rinse, shut off while washing my body, then rinse. I haven’t timed and measured but I bet I’m using less than 10 gallons, which 1/4 used just get hot water back there. I don’t think see any benifits using smaller tank?

Probably won’t save anything on water or price of water heater, 40 gallons the popular choice in most cases?

Shower together to save water!

[Arctic Fox]

Thank you all, as ever, for your sage advice.

Hopefully this one will keep going for a few more years - surprisingly, the insurance company has never raised the issue of the age of our major appliances.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I assume you mean 30 gallon rather than 3 gallon.

Good spot. Even I'm not THAT frugal on water usage :-)

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Thank you all, as ever, for your sage advice.

Hopefully this one will keep going for a few more years - surprisingly, the insurance company has never raised the issue of the age of our major appliances.

Hopefully you won’t need a new homeowners policy with your older tank. I am in the process of pricing a new policy since Farmers is dumping us. Insurers require a 4 point inspection that includes the age of the water heater. Ours is 2007 vintage and we are either being denied or charged about an extra $500 unless we replace the water heater. The heater works perfectly fine, but for about $900 it looks like we will be replacing a perfectly functional 40 gallon electric heater with a new model. I wouldn’t consider a 30 gallon for already stated reasons. Plus, when we have guests visit there is a possibility we could run short of hot water and the savings is minimal.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Thank you all, as ever, for your sage advice.

Hopefully this one will keep going for a few more years - surprisingly, the insurance company has never raised the issue of the age of our major appliances.

I’d say you’re on borrowed time! It could go any day now, 26 years loooooong time for water heater IMO.

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Shower together to save water!

Nah. Actually uses up more water. Makes us stay in the shower several times longer

[bowlingal]

30 gal and 40 gal electric are the same price according to Mike Scott Plumbing

[Polarlys]

To Arctic Fox, Sorry you are late to the game. The insurance companies have already caught up to this topic. We had to send them a photo of our water heater prior to the approval of our policy application. This was almost 3 years ago.