Choosing a Water Heater (Boiler vs Tankless) in Glendale: Power and Consumption Calculation

Choosing a water heater for your Glendale home starts with two key questions: how much hot water you need and how fast you need it. The two main options are a storage water heater (boiler/tank) and a tankless (instantaneous) unit. A storage heater warms a fixed volume and delivers stable temperature with moderate electrical load, while a tankless heater heats water on demand but often requires much higher power. Start with demand. Count fixtures used at the same time: shower, kitchen faucet, washing machine, etc. Typical hot-water flow is about 1.5–2.5 gpm (6–10 L/min) for a shower and 0.5–1.5 gpm (2–6 L/min) for a faucet. Next, estimate temperature rise: Glendale inlet water may be around 55–65°F (13–18°C). Comfortable hot water is ~105°F (40°C). That’s a rise of 40–50°F (22–28°C). For tankless sizing, power depends on flow and temperature rise. A practical rule: 1 gpm with a 45°F rise needs roughly 9–10 kW. So one shower at 2.0 gpm may require about 18–20 kW; two simultaneous showers can exceed 30 kW. This can mean a 240V circuit upgrade and a higher service panel rating, so confirm with a licensed plumber and electrician. For storage heaters, focus on tank volume and recovery. A 40–50 gallon unit fits many households, while larger families may prefer 65–80 gallons or a high-recovery model. Electrical storage heaters are often 3–5.5 kW, spreading consumption over time. Compare operating cost by checking the Energy Factor/UEF rating and your usage pattern: tankless reduces standby losses, but high peak power and hard-water scaling can increase maintenance. Use a local Glendale plumbing professional from our Business Directory to assess fixtures, electrical capacity, and water quality, then recommend the safest, most cost-effective system.