When it comes to buying a new hot water system for your Melbourne home, size matters more than you think. While an undersized system can leave you frustrated with cold showers, an oversized one can waste unnecessary energy and reflect that on your utility bills. Thus, choosing the right-sized hot water system installation in Melbourne is not only necessary for balancing your family’s usage, lifestyle, and budget – but also lowering your carbon footprint.

In this blog, we will break down how to determine the correct size of a hot water system for your household, factoring in household size, water usage patterns, and Melbourne’s climate.

Why Hot Water System Size Matters?

As hot water accounts for about 25% of the average Australian household’s energy use, it is nonetheless one of the biggest contributing factors to your utility bills. While a system too small will struggle to keep up with the rising demand, a system too large will increase the energy consumption (so, you’ll be paying for water that you aren’t using).

Getting the size right means:

• Lower running costs (efficiency that matches your real needs)
• Greater reliability (fewer instances of running out of hot water)
• Longer lifespan (a system that isn’t overworked or underused)

Key Factors to Consider

Household Size

The most crucial factor is how many family members are in your home. The more occupants, means more showers, laundry loads, and dishwashing. For instance:

• 1–2 people: 90–160 litres (electric or gas storage)
• 3–4 people: 160–250 litres
• 5+ people: 250–400 litres

For instantaneous flow, the flow rate matters more than the storage capacity. Here, a family of four will usually need 20-26 litres per minute (flow rate).

Peak Usage Times

Considering every member of your household needs showers in the morning, you’ll need more capacity than a home where “shower times” are spread throughout the day. Peak demand is crucial for hot water system installation in Melbourne, which requires recovery time.

Energy Source/Type

• Electric Storage: Affordable, reliable, but has higher running costs.
• Gas Storage: Reliable, cheaper to run and faster recovery times – only if natural gas is available.
• Solar with Booster: Commendable long-term savings (serves right in Melbourne), but installation costs are high.
• Heat Pump: Quite an energy-efficient option that works well in Melbourne’s climate.

Climate Considerations

Melbourne’s weather is highly unpredictable, with cold winters and sunny summers. In this kind of weather, gas and heat pumps work the best compared to solar (if you consider year-round running hot water).

Sizing Guide for Hot Water System

Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right hot water system installation in Melbourne:

Singles or Couples
A continuous flow gas system (12–16 Litres/min) or a 90–160L storage system is usually sufficient.

Small Families (3–4 people)
Look at a 160–250L storage tank or a gas instantaneous unit delivering 20–24 Litres/min.

Large Families (5+ people)
A 250–400L tank or a gas instantaneous system with a 26–32 Litres/min flow rate will suit heavy usage.

Tips to Find the Right-Sized Hot Water System

Here you go –

• Audit Your Water Usage: Count your household’s daily showers, laundry cycles and dishwashing loads.Future Proofing: If your household is set to grow bigger in future, consider the hot water system accordingly.
• Energy Efficiency: Think of it in this way – a well-sized hot water system might require more cost upfront, but it will pay off in the long-term savings.
• Professional Advice: Seek the advice of a local Melbourne plumber who can recommend a system based on your household’s needs.

Get in Touch with MB Plumbing Services Pty Ltd Today

Besides installation, we also provide hot water system repairs in Melbourne, making us your one-stop destination for hot water system needs. Call 0449 066 996 to book an installation or for servicing.