Tankless Water Heater Sizing Calculator - eComfort

08, Sep. 2025

 

Tankless Water Heater Sizing Calculator - eComfort

Size matters when it comes to your tankless water heater. In fact, it is the most important part of choosing a new unit for your home.

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Having a water heater that is too small will result in it not being able to produce enough hot water for your household demand. For example, you might not be able to run more than one shower at a time without someone getting an arctic blast of cold water.

On the other hand, a water heater that is too large will end up being more costly than necessary, since you will be paying more upfront for the larger size (although it could be useful if you plan to upsize your home later).

To work properly, a tankless water heater needs to be just the right size to meet your home's hot water demand. This guide will teach you how to size a tankless water heater and includes a calculator at the end.

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Tankless Sizing Overview

There are two factors that need to be considered when sizing a tankless water heater:

  • Flow Rate (GPM): How much hot water you will need at any given time

  • Temperature Rise (ΔT): The difference between the incoming cold water temperature and the desired temperature 

First, figure out which fixtures you will want to operate simultaneously and how much hot water each will use.

This is called the flow rate and is measured in gallons per minute (GPM). You can determine the total rate at which the water heater will need to produce hot water by adding the flow rates for each fixture together.

Next, calculate the temperature difference between the water entering the heater (groundwater temperature) and the temperature desired at the faucets. This is called your temperature rise (known as ΔT by professionals), or the temperature by which your water heater must raise the water.

Typical faucet temperatures are 110° F – 120° F. Groundwater temperatures average  57° F in the U.S. but can range from approximately 70° F in southern parts of Florida, to near freezing in the northern states.

The greater the difference between the groundwater and desired fixture water, the fewer fixtures a water heater will be able to supply.

Learn: Tankless Water Heater Basics

Tankless Sizing Calculator

Use the two tables below to calculate the total flow rate your home needs. Be sure to only include the maximum number of fixtures you will want to operate simultaneously in the calculation table.

1. Figure out the flow rate for the heaviest water use you expect.

For example, let's say you're running one standard shower, a dishwasher, a faucet, and a high-efficiency washing machine at the same time. Using the water flow rate table below, add up all the flow rates of those fixture (2 + 2.5 + 1 + 1 = 6.5GPM). Your flow rate would be 6.5GPM.

Fixture Type Flow Rate (GPM) Quantity Total for Fixture Type

0 GPM

0 GPM

0 GPM

0 GPM

0 GPM

0 GPM

Total Flow Rate 0 GPM

2. Use the groundwater temperature map to locate your groundwater temperature based on where you live in the United States.

For example, in Chicago, the groundwater temperature is listed at 47 ° F.



3. Enter the groundwater temperature you found on the map into the table below to determine the required temperature rise for hot water at 110°.

In our Chicago example, entering 47 ° F yields a required temperature rise of 63 ° F.

Desired Outlet Temperature (F) Ground Water Temperature (F) Required Temperature Rise (F)

4. Simply locate the appropriate water heater sizes on eComfort using your information. Once you have your total flow rate and the required temperature rise, you can find the right-size tankless water heater for your home. Use the table below to navigate to the tankless water heaters that meet your GPM needs. Simply click on the appropriate GPM, and you'll be navigated to the water heaters that meet those needs.

In our example above of 6.5 GPM at 63 ° F, you would click on 6 - 8 GPM at a 60° F temperature rise in the table. (Technically speaking, you could round up to the 70° F temperature rise option, but rounding down to 60° F is the more realistic and acceptable option in this scenario since we're only 3° F under the actual rise).

Contact us to discuss your requirements of instant hot water heaters for showers. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Flow Rate at 40°F Rise Flow Rate at 50°F Rise Flow Rate at 60°F Rise Flow Rate at 70°F Rise 1 - 3  GPM 1 - 3  GPM 1 - 3  GPM 1 - 3  GPM 4 - 5 GPM 4 - 5 GPM 4 - 5 GPM 4 - 5 GPM 6 - 7 GPM 6 - 8 GPM 6 - 8 GPM 6 - 8 GPM 9+ GPM 9+ GPM 9+ GPM -

Guide to Choosing the Right Electric Tankless Water Heater

When it comes to upgrading your home’s water heating system, choosing the right electric water heater is crucial for ensuring efficiency, comfort, and long-term savings. As technology evolves, electric tankless water heaters have become a top choice for homeowners looking for an eco-friendly, reliable solution. In this guide, we will explore Thermomate’s range of electric water heaters and help you find the perfect fit for your home.

Why Choose an Electric Water Heater?

Electric water heaters are becoming increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency, ease of installation, and consistent performance. They don’t require a venting system like gas heaters, making them ideal for apartments and homes without an existing venting infrastructure. Moreover, with advancements in technology, electric hot water heaters are now more reliable and cost-effective than ever.

If you are looking for a modern solution that saves space and provides hot water on demand, Thermomate’s range of electric tankless hot water heaters and electric on-demand water heaters could be the perfect choice.

Understanding Electric Tankless Water Heaters

Unlike traditional water heaters that store hot water in a tank, electric tankless water heaters provide hot water as you need it. These heaters heat water instantly when you turn on a faucet or shower, offering a continuous supply without the need for a storage tank. This on-demand hot water solution is ideal for homeowners who want to avoid the hassle of a bulky tank and reduce energy consumption.

Benefits of Electric Tankless Water Heaters:

  1. Instant Hot Water: No more waiting for a tank to heat up. These heaters deliver hot water immediately as soon as you turn on the tap.
  2. Energy Efficiency: Since they only heat water when you need it, electric tankless hot water heaters help reduce energy costs, making them an eco-friendly and cost-effective option.
  3. Compact Design: Tankless models take up much less space than traditional tank water heaters, allowing for flexible installation in smaller spaces.
  4. Longer Lifespan: Tankless models generally last longer, sometimes up to 20 years, compared to the 10-12 year lifespan of traditional tank models.

Thermomate’s Electric Tankless Water Heaters and Flow Rates

Thermomate offers a variety of electric tankless water heaters designed to meet the needs of households of all sizes. Each model comes with a different power rating, which corresponds to its flow rate and ability to handle multiple fixtures at once. Here’s a breakdown of Thermomate’s models and their ideal applications:

  1. ET045 4.5kW
    Flow Rate: Up to 1.0 GPM
    Ideal for: Small apartments or homes with a single bathroom. This model can support one low-flow fixture, such as a water-saver shower head (1.5 GPM) or a hand sink.

  2. ET060 6.0kW
    Flow Rate: Up to 1.5 GPM
    Ideal for: Small households with one bathroom. It’s great for a standard shower head (2.0 GPM) or a combination of a kitchen sink and hand sink.

  3. ET080 8.0kW
    Flow Rate: Up to 2.0 GPM
    Ideal for: Homes with one to two bathrooms. This model is suitable for one standard shower head or multiple fixtures such as a hand sink and kitchen sink.

  4. ET110 11kW
    Flow Rate: Up to 2.68 GPM
    Ideal for: Medium-sized homes with one to two bathrooms. It supports a standard shower head and one or two water fixtures, like a kitchen sink or a hand sink, used simultaneously.

  5. ET110HC 11kW
    Flow Rate: Up to 2.68 GPM
    Ideal for: Medium homes or homes with higher hot water demand. It’s perfect for a combination of two standard shower heads and a kitchen sink or hand sink.

  6. ET140 14kW
    Flow Rate: Up to 3.3 GPM
    Ideal for: Larger homes with two to three bathrooms. This model can support multiple showers or a bath tub along with other fixtures, making it ideal for families with medium to high hot water usage.

  7. ET180 18kW
    Flow Rate: Up to 4.58 GPM
    Ideal for: Large homes with three or more bathrooms. It can easily handle multiple standard shower heads, a bath tub, and a kitchen sink simultaneously, providing ample hot water for larger families.

  8. ET240 24kW
    Flow Rate: Up to 5.5 GPM
    Ideal for: Larger households or commercial applications, such as guest houses or small hotels. This model ensures an endless supply of hot water for multiple fixtures, including showers, tubs, and kitchen sinks, even during peak demand.

  9. ET270 27kW
    Flow Rate: Up to 6.38 GPM
    Ideal for: Very large homes or commercial properties. The most powerful option, it supports simultaneous use of multiple high-demand fixtures, ensuring a continuous supply of hot water in high-usage environments.

How to Choose the Right Model

When selecting an electric tankless water heater, consider the following factors:

  1. Hot Water Demand:
    For small apartments or single-bathroom homes, models like the ET045 (4.5kW) or ET060 (6.0kW) are ideal. Larger households or homes with multiple bathrooms will need a higher-power model, such as the ET180 (18kW) or ET270 (27kW), to ensure sufficient hot water supply.

  2. Simultaneous Usage:
    If your household frequently uses multiple fixtures at once, such as showers, baths, and kitchen sinks, consider a higher-flow model, like the ET240 (24kW) or ET270 (27kW), to avoid water temperature fluctuations.

  3. Energy Efficiency:
    All Thermomate models are designed to maximize energy efficiency. Higher-powered models consume more energy, but only when hot water is in use, saving energy compared to traditional tank systems.

  4. Installation Space:
    Tankless water heaters are compact and take up less space than traditional tank models, making them suitable for smaller homes or spaces.

Conclusion

Thermomate offers a wide range of electric tankless hot water heaters that cater to various household needs. From the ET045 (4.5kW) for smaller homes to the powerful ET270 (27kW) for large households or commercial applications, Thermomate ensures you always have hot water on demand, without the energy waste of a traditional tank heater.

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