Water heater system upgrades
Do you run out of hot water because you are the last person to shower? An upgrade gets more from your setup without always replacing everything. Sometimes it is as simple as adding a second unit.
Common upgrade goals
The last shower is always cold
Baths and back-to-back showers empty the tank faster than it can reheat. More capacity, or a second heater, keeps up with a busy household.
Adding a second water heater
A second unit alongside your existing one can double your stored hot water, often for less disruption than replacing the whole system.
Higher efficiency
A more efficient model, such as a heat pump water heater, may reduce energy use. Savings depend on how much hot water you use and your energy prices.
Tank to tankless
Switching can save space and provide hot water on demand, but may require gas line, venting or electrical changes.
Faster hot water at the tap
A recirculation system can reduce the wait for hot water at distant fixtures.
Weighing an upgrade
How your household uses hot water
How many people, how many baths and showers, and when they happen decide whether a bigger tank, a second unit or tankless makes most sense.
Payback varies
Higher-cost equipment may take years to pay back through energy savings, and some homes will not see large savings. Ask for an honest estimate.
Home readiness
Space, electrical capacity, gas supply and venting decide which upgrades are practical.
Good questions to ask about your quote
Clear answers to these make it easy to know exactly what you are getting.
- Would a second unit, a larger tank or tankless work best for my household?
- What changes to gas, electrical, venting or plumbing would each option need?
- How are energy savings estimated, and what assumptions are behind the figures?
- Are there incentives I should check, and who applies for them?
- What are the total installed costs for each option?
Common questions
How can my water heater produce more hot water?
Options include adding a second water heater, moving to a larger tank or a model that reheats faster, or switching to tankless. Which is best depends on your household and your home's gas or electrical supply.
Is adding a second water heater a good idea?
For many busy households it is. If your current heater is in good shape but cannot keep up, a second unit adds capacity without throwing away equipment that still works.
Is a tankless water heater always better?
Not always. It can suit some homes well, but installation requirements and costs can be higher, and it may not suit every household's usage.
Related water heaters pages
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