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Homeowner weighs replacing a 75-gallon water heater and discovers 50 gallons may be enough for two

Digilifetrends Updated 2026-10-27 3 min read

“I switched from a 75 to a 50 and have plenty of hot water.”

A person holds a wrench next to a water heater in a mechanical setting.
Photo Credit: iStock

A homeowner who needed a replacement for a 75-gallon water heater turned to Reddit’s r/AskAPlumber forum to ask whether a 50-gallon model would be sufficient for a two-person household.

What to know

In the thread, the original poster explained that the estimates they had received covered two specific units: a 50-gallon Reliance tank, Model # 12 50 NQCT, and a 75-gallon AO Smith ProLine, Model # FCG75.

They also said that every plumber they consulted recommended another 75-gallon unit, even though they agreed the home likely did not need that much capacity.

Most commenters still leaned toward the smaller option. One person wrote, “Definitely get the 50. I switched from a 75 to a 50 and have plenty of hot water.” Another said, “I have a 50 gallon gas water heater in a 2.5 bath home. We peaked at 8 people (6 kids) several years ago. We never ran out of hot water.”

Several replies noted that first-hour delivery is often a better measure than tank size alone, pointing out that the 50-gallon model is listed at 89 gallons while the 75-gallon version is listed at 125.

Tankless systems also came up repeatedly because they take up less space, but the original poster said that was not an option: “Sadly we can't go tankless due to our location in the building and venting requirements according to the plumbers we've gotten quotes from.”

What can be done?

For homeowners interested in more efficient water heating, Cala offers another option. Its customizable smart heat pump water heaters are designed to help lower energy bills by heating water only when it is needed.

That kind of setup may be especially appealing for a household like the one in the thread, where hot water use appears modest and oversizing seems to be the main concern. It also shows that a replacement choice does not have to be limited to picking between two tank sizes when more tailored systems and smart scheduling are available through Cala.

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Where can I learn more?

If you are choosing between water heater sizes, planning a replacement, or thinking about other systems, these articles offer a closer look.

  • Some households can save with a tankless setup, depending on usage patterns.
  • Routine flushing and anode checks can help keep your water heater running longer.
  • In Buffalo, one homeowner found that a heat pump water heater swap looked more practical than expected.

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