What size water heater for 2 washer laundry room

[Diem Tran]

Hi everyone!

I current have a 42 gallon water heater in the laundry room that contains 2 washers and 2 dryers. This water heater is really old and needs replacement.  At first, I planned is get a new one similar in size but a maintenance guy suggested I get a 80 gallon one "because it'll last longer".  At first, I agreed, but after he left, I noticed that a larger one might not fit. 

I cannot reach him by phone now and need the get the heater before I can talk to him again in the morning.  I don't want to go to Home Depot and buy an 80 gallon one only to have to return it later.  Should I play it safe an get a 40 gallon one? 

We have two washers and two dryers and take in about $500 per month in quarters. Would a 40 gallon water heater be enough? 

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance!

Best, 

D Tran 

[Roy N.]

Ultimately, it depends on the recovery rate of the water heater {gas or electric } and whether your washing machines are High Efficiency (HE) units.

If you have 2 HE washers, then a 40-usg tank should be ample.   If you have older, upright washers, which could use 10 usg per load, a 40 usg gas tank would be sufficient and a 40 usg electric would be fine provided it has sufficient recovery (i.e. both elements are working)

Just think ... in a typical home, folks often take a shower (2.5 usg / minute on most shower heads) and then do a load of laundry without exhausting a 40usg tank.

If you put in a larger (60 or 80 usg) tank you will be incurring larger stand-by losses keeping the additional volume of water at temperature.