Hybrid Water Heater Sizing Guide

A step-by-step guide to sizing a hybrid water heater.

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    Getting it Just Right

    Hybrid Water Heater Sizing

    Hybrid water heaters offer eco-friendly heat pumps in combination with electricity for hot water that never stops. They may seem large in size for a standard home, but this is to help keep the water warm with the hot air generally found in your basement, garage, or attic. Homes that are in warm climates, such as San Antonio or Austin, benefit the most from the climate because it will generally warm up their water faster. Hot air comes into the unit, warms the water, and then cool air is expelled into the room.

    You will notice when switching from a tank style water heater to a hybrid that hybrid water heaters usually have a larger tank capacity. The hybrid units come in much larger sizes because the heat pump sometimes heats a tank of water slower than tank or tankless electric models. That is because the hybrid water heaters pull hot air from the room first before using electricity.

    Hybrid water heaters heat up water quickly when switched to electric mode. However, the goal is to operate your hybrid using the heat pump as much as possible to save on energy costs. Because of this, we generally recommend sizing up your hybrid water heater. This will ensure you have more hot water stored in your tank for use through out the home.

    hybrid water heater in a closet

    How to Size Your Hybrid Water Heater

    If you already have a conventional tank style water heater, then it’s easy to simply size up your hybrid water. We have provided a sizing guide to make this part of the process a breeze.

    hybrid water heater sizing of three different hybrid water heaters

    Installation Steps:

    Step 1 : Find the Capacity of Your Current Water Heater

    You should start by checking out the size of your current water heater. To find out how many gallons your tank currently holds, look for a sticker on the side of your water heater. It should have your serial number, model number, and other information about your water heater listed. You should be able to find the tank capacity in gallons on this sticker.

    Step 2 : Size Up Your Current Water Heater to a Hybrid

    Here are our general recommendations on sizing:

    • If you have a 30 gallon water heater, size up to a 50 gallon hybrid water heater.
    • If you have a 40 gallon water heater, size up to a 65 gallon hybrid water heater.
    • If you have a 50 gallon water heater, size up to a 85 gallon hybrid water heater.

    Avoid Disaster

    Take Action Today to Protect Your Home

    Act quickly to address minor plumbing issues before they turn into expensive disasters. Our expert services can help protect your home from damage, giving you peace of mind and saving you money in the long run.

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    Additional Resources

    LEARN MORE ABOUT HYBRID WATER HEATERS

    Preventative Maintenance for Your Hybrid Heater

    Hybrid water heaters offer extended durability over traditional tanks, promising years of additional service with proper maintenance.

    Hybrid Water Heater Sizing Guide

    You will notice when switching from a tank style water heater to a hybrid that hybrid water heaters usually have a larger tank capacity. The hybrid units come in much larger sizes.

    How to Install or Replace a Hybrid Water Heater

    DIY hybrid water heater installation requires expertise with water and electrical systems and careful adherence to the provided steps.

    Cost to Install or Replace a Hybrid Water Heater

    Our master plumbers put together this page to help you understand the costs involved if you hire a licensed plumber for your project.

    Best Brand of Hybrid Water Heaters

    There are so many hybrid water heaters to choose from, so we sat down with our Master Plumbers to get their opinions on the best hybrid water heaters.

    Is it Time to Replace Your Hot Water Heater?

    Your hot water heater is one of your hardest working appliances and it’s best to replace it before it stops functioning.