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My wife, myself, and four small children are moving into an small apartment (1,100 sqf)I am remodeling. Unfortunately space is at a premium. I cannot make a large gas water heater fit. I am planning on using a 30 gallon (short and fat) electric water heater. I realize that is a small size for a family of six. There will be a clothes washer, dish washer and shower. I could place another water heater, or two, in other places close by to bring up my total capacity. It would be easiest to place a couple 10 or 20 gallon tanks in addition to the 30 gallon. My questions are: (1) Is the electricity use going to be much different with several tanks heating (x) gallons of water versus one tank heating (x) gallons; (2) Can I effectively maximize the availability of hot water by heating the water in stages, i.e., 80 degrees in tank one, 110 degrees in tank two, then the final desired temperature in last tank? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
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My wife, myself, and four small children are moving into an small apartment (1,100 sqf)I am remodeling. Unfortunately space is at a premium. I cannot make a large gas water heater fit. I am planning on using a 30 gallon (short and fat) electric water heater. I realize that is a small size for a family of six. There will be a clothes washer, dish washer and shower. I could place another water heater, or two, in other places close by to bring up my total capacity. It would be easiest to place a couple 10 or 20 gallon tanks in addition to the 30 gallon. My questions are: (1) Is the electricity use going to be much different with several tanks heating (x) gallons of water versus one tank heating (x) gallons; (2) Can I effectively maximize the availability of hot water by heating the water in stages, i.e., 80 degrees in tank one, 110 degrees in tank two, then the final desired temperature in last tank? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!