75 gallon HWH, is it enough for 9 units?

Question

I am looking at a mixed-use building and the hot water system looks squirley. 9 residential units and 2 retail store fronts share one commercial hot water heat of 75 gallons.  Landlord pays the hot water expense and, the theory is, the rents cover it.  This is not true, as the rents are below market.  I like an undermanaged building, if I buy it according to the actuals. But one must anticipate the cost of improvements. Is a shared water heater workable?  One bedroom/one bath untis. Thanks

Colleen F. · Answer

Even with 1 bed /1 bath it is not enough but is probably more or less of an issue depending on the tenants.  what are the commercial units? low water use store fronts?  Regardless it is probably not large enough. You could shift to point of use which could be expensive depending on how the system is set up but ultimately shifts cost to the tenants.  what is the heating system?, if that is shared it is another place to add hot water. We have an on demand system on the boiler with an 80 gallon holding tank for 5 units.

Jassem A. · Answer

it might handle the volume if there are some low flow rate faucets and shower heads with no tub spouts or if the water heater heats up pretty fast

Brad Woodall · Answer

For 9 residential units, that's probably a little small.

I have a 75 gallon WH in my personal  residence. It's a 5 bedroom 3 bath house.

You could look into on-demand (under sink) electrical units for a retail spaces.

Have you contacted a plumber?

Don't forget, they changed the National WH requirements last year which now require more efficient (more expensive) units.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/03/read-this-before-replacing-your-water-heater/index.htm

Darren Sager · Answer

Ha!  No way.   We put 75 Gallon HWH in 4 bedroom homes.  It won't handle the volume.  Hence why rents are low.  No one likes cold showers.