A U.K. homeowner was warned that getting a powerful shower could mean paying for a pricier hot water tank.
They were considering on-demand heating after their hot water tank failed, since switching to that approach would eliminate the need to keep a cylinder hot.
Here's what to know
The homeowner needed hot water for two sinks and a shower, with no more than two fixtures expected to operate at once. However, a possible future sink addition was also part of the planning, as they described on Reddit.
They were weighing whether to replace the tank or switch to an instantaneous electric heater.
"I want this fix to last, so I want to do it properly," the original poster wrote.
One commenter argued that avoiding the expense and energy use of keeping a hot-water reserve supports on-demand heating. They proposed a separate instantaneous heater for the sinks and an electric shower supplied by an appropriately sized cable, describing that arrangement as cheaper and more energy-efficient.
A heat pump water heater is another option that can help homeowners save money in the long run.
More background
Durability mattered to the homeowner after poor installation, inadequate maintenance, and repairs to the old system. According to the post, the tank had leaked for a long time before finally failing.
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A separate breaker could be added if the replacement system needed one. The homeowner already planned electrical upgrades during the renovation, including replacing the unsuitable hot-water wiring.
Lower power consumption was the homeowner's preference, with 50 amps available to cover both the hot-water system and a 2-kilowatt bathroom heater.
What can be done?
To help the equipment last, one commenter recommended installing a water softener.
Installation was not a do-it-yourself task, another commenter stressed: a G3-qualified installer should handle the installation and pressure-reducing components. Assuming the home had no gas supply, they favored an unvented cylinder with two immersion heaters.
For homeowners considering a different electric upgrade, Cala offers smart heat pump water heaters. Cala's customizable smart heat pump water heaters can help homeowners decrease their energy bills by heating water exactly when it is needed. That can reduce wasted energy while still keeping hot water ready for showers, dishes, and laundry.
The commenter who suggested separate heaters noted a potential drawback of instantaneous units.
"In my experience I don't think they're great for showers, not enough flow rate for a good powerful shower unless you spend a lot of money on one," they observed.
Where can I learn more?
Shower flow and the number of fixtures running at once can help determine which hot-water system fits a home.
• A Florida homeowner considering tankless heating was warned about capacity for two bathrooms.
• A U.K. homeowner received conflicting heat pump advice before a plumber found a simple fix.
• A homeowner promised water savings from tankless recirculation still faced two-minute shower waits.
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