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Velvet Digest

Can I replace a 40 gallon water heater with a 50 gallon?

Author

Sophia Koch

Updated on May 20, 2026

Typically, the rule-of-thumb is that you want a 40 gallon tank for 1 to 4 people, a 50 gallon tank for 4 to 6 people, and a 50 gallon high recovery or 75 gallon tank for 6 to 8 people. Energy consumption for 40 and 50 gallon standard water heaters is quite comparable.

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Also, is a 40 gallon water heater enough?

A hot water heater that has an FHR within a couple gallons of the number you just calculated should meet your family's needs. 2-3 people need a 40-gallon water heater. 3-4 people need a 40-50 gallon water heater. 5 or more people need a 50-80 gallon water heater.

Secondly, how much does it cost to install a 50 gallon water heater? Typically a 50-gallon natural gas water heater installation costs between $795 and $1,600.

In respect to this, how long of a shower can you take with a 40 gallon water heater?

A 40-gallon water heater can provide up to 2 showers in an hour (if you're not using any other water appliances).

How much does it cost to heat a 40 gallon hot water tank?

Water Heater Costs by Gallon

Tank Size (Gallons) Price Range*
40 $320-$1,600
50 $400-$2,200
75 $900-$3,000
80 $1,000-$3,000
Related Question Answers

How much does Home Depot charge to install a gas water heater?

Water Heater Installation Cost Guide The Home Depot offers traditional water heater tanks and modern tankless units, both powered by either gas or electricity. Depending on your selection, the average cost for water heater installation is between $1,000 to $3,000.

How much water does a 20 minute shower use?

Save water and energy: Reduce your shower time! The EPA estimates that the standard shower heads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute. That's 20 gallons of water for the average shower!

How many years does a water heater last?

12 years

How long does it take to fill a 40 gallon hot water heater?

Usually, it would only take 10-15 minutes to have the water ready for heating. It is not always required to fill it immediately, but it's efficient to do so to start the water heating process. The water heating process usually takes around 2-3 hours, depending on the type of water heater you have at home.

How do you know when your water heater needs to be replaced?

Some signs you need a new water heater are an old unit, rusty water, not enough hot water, noise, or leaks.
  1. An Old Unit. If your water heater is older, you can find its exact age by looking for the serial number on the manufacturer's sticker near its top.
  2. Rusty Water.
  3. Not Enough Hot Water.
  4. Rumbling and Noise.
  5. Leaks.

What size water heater do I need for a family of 4?

But if you only need a loose estimate of what size you need (versus an exact calculation), follow these guidelines: For 1 to 2 people: 30-40 gallons. For 2 to 3 people: 40-50 gallons. For 3 to 4 people: 50-60 gallons.

How long will water stay hot in water heater without power?

6-8 hours

How much water does a 45 minute shower use?

The average American shower water usage is 17.2 gallons with the average shower length being 8.2 minutes. The average flow rate is 2.1 gallons per minute. Here's where this shower water usage can add up, however.

Is a 10 minute shower too long?

Showering for too long Between the steam, streaming water, and warmth, it's tempting to spend 15, 20, even 30 minutes in the shower, but many experts say anything more than 10 minutes is too much. “You shouldn't shower for more than 5 to 10 minutes,” says Dr. Farris. Long showers strip your skin of moisture, too.

How long should 50 gallons of hot water last?

The average shower uses 2 gallons of water per minute, so that same 50-gallon tank is good for a little less than 17 minutes of hot water. Tip: As a general rule of thumb, you should aim for a tank capacity of 10-15 gallons per adult in your house.

How do I make my shower water last longer?

One of the easiest ways to make a hot shower last longer is by using less hot water while it's at a higher temperature. To do this, turn up the temperature on the thermostat that's attached to the hot water heater tank. (Not the thermostat on the wall.) Use a low-flow shower head.

How long does it take for water to get hot again shower?

WAIT TIME FOR HOT SHOWER If the previous shower lasted 15 minutes, you're looking at about four minutes of hot water remaining. If you want to loll in your own 15-minute shower, you'll need to wait 47 minutes before stepping in. (Gas units heat faster, so multiply by 1.9 instead of 4.3.)

Will Lowes install water heater?

Lowe's independent installers have you covered for tankless water heater installations and any other hot water heater installations your property may require. You have better things to do than installing a water heater or managing water heater installation costs.

Can a water heater last 20 years?

A tankless water heater can last up to 20 years, sometimes even longer. Also called “on-demand” water heaters, these appliances do not work continuously to maintain a supply of hot water—and, as a result, they last longer than their tank-style counterparts.

Do I need a permit to replace a water heater?

Most cities and jurisdictions do require a permit to replace an existing water heater, whether you're replacing a broken water heater or upgrading to a larger or more functional unit. Permits address potential safety concerns of an improperly installed water heater.

Should I replace my water heater before it fails?

If the tank rusts through, it could fail catastrophically and flood your home. You can avoid this disaster by replacing your water heater before it fails. A new water heater could lower your utility bills: You must invest in a new water heater, but it will start paying your back immediately in lower energy bills.

Can you install your own water heater?

Can you replace a water heater yourself? The short answer is yes, most of the time. If there needs to be electrical modifications, many building jurisdictions will allow you to do the modifications yourself if its your own home, but a few jurisdictions may require a license electrician to do the work.

Should I drain my water heater?

Though water heater manufacturers may provide specific instructions on how often a water heater should be drained, the rule of thumb is to drain your water heater on an annual basis. Generally, the purpose of draining your water heater is to clear out the hard water and sediment that may have built up over it's use.