How many people will be showering, etc, in a short time?

My grandparents had a large vacation home with two water heaters. When they had a full house (it could sleep 14 in beds), they fired up the second heater for more reserve capacity. Most of the time only one was needed.

About a month ago, I had Home Depot install a 50 gallon gas water heater in Fairfax for about $1700. I had to pay a little extra (about $150) to add an expansion tank, which is now required by code. The lowest estimate I received from plumbers was about $1K more.

AO Smith signature 100 50 gallon from Lows
$1,000 delivered
$1,700 plumber labor and material including expansion tank.

Anonymous wrote:My last one cost me $480 at Lowes, died in 6 years. New one was just short of $600. Installed both myself. Very simple job. Both 50 gallon, electric.

If you check the anode rod annually and replace it when it's eaten away they last pretty much forever.

My last one cost me $480 at Lowes, died in 6 years. New one was just short of $600. Installed both myself. Very simple job. Both 50 gallon, electric.

Anonymous wrote:Tankless instant hot water heater installed last August. 9k including install - but needed a very specific brand due to clearance

Wow! That's $$$

$2,600 (installed) pre pandemic. The house is 1,100 sqr. ft. 2br/1ba in Silver Spring.

Tankless instant hot water heater installed last August. 9k including install - but needed a very specific brand due to clearance

It’s not really about the house but how many people are using water at the same time.

We just replaced our hot water heater. Our old one was 80 gallons and we were told that due to newish regulations those are no longer available outside of commercial grade which typically have higher electrical requirements.

We have 5 people and got a 55 gallon with an extra valve added on top to mix water. This allows the HWH to be turned all the way up. You then mix cooler water with the hot using the valve, so if you want 50% temp water in your tub you are effectively pulling from a 100 gallon tank.

$2700 installed by a plumbing company.

House half that size. Got a 75 gallon gas from lowes and had a plumber install.

Gas water heater

We need to get a new water heater. Please recommend what you got, who did it for you and the cost including installation. Thanks!