One homeowner who needed to replace their 75-gallon water heater took to Reddit's r/AskAPlumber forum to ask if downsizing to a 50-gallon replacement made sense for their two-person household.
Here's what to know
In the Reddit thread, the original poster said the quotes they received were for two specific models: a 50-gallon Reliance tank, Model # 12 50 NQCT, and a 75-gallon AO Smith ProLine, Model #FCG75.
The OP also said every plumber they spoke with pointed them to another 75-gallon unit, even though they agreed the household likely didn't need that much capacity.
Despite this, the replies in the comments section mostly favored downsizing. One wrote, "Definitely get the 50. I switched from a 75 to a 50 and have plenty of hot water." Another added, "I have a 50 gallon gas water heater in a 2.5 bath home. We peaked at 8 people (6 kids) several years ago. We never ran out of hot water."
Commenters also pointed to first-hour delivery as a more useful yardstick than tank size itself, with the 50-gallon option listed at 89 gallons and the 75-gallon model at 125.
Tankless systems came up several times because they take up less room, but OP said that option was off the table: "Sadly we can't go tankless due to our location in the building and venting requirements according to the plumbers we've gotten quotes from."
What can be done?
For homeowners who want the most efficient water heating technology, Cala offers another route. Cala's customizable smart heat pump water heaters can help homeowners lower energy bills by heating water only when needed.
That kind of control could be especially appealing to a household like the one in the thread, where hot water use appears modest, and oversizing seems to be part of the issue. It also underscores that a replacement decision doesn't have to come down to choosing between two tank sizes when options like smart scheduling and more tailored performance are available through Cala.
Crushed by your bills? See instant solar savings from vetted installers in just a few clicks With energy prices through the roof, there's never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area. EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy. |
Where can I learn more?
If you're deciding between water heater sizes, timing a replacement, or considering other systems, these articles provide a closer look.
• Some households can save with a tankless setup, depending on usage patterns.
• Routine flushing and anode checks can keep your water heater running longer.
• In Buffalo, one homeowner found a heat pump water heater swap looked more practical than expected.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
