Are you thinking about buying a 75-gallon gas water tank due to the lower operating cost of gas and easy installation? If so, which brand or model should you buy?
In this guide, you will learn:
What are 75-gallon gas water heaters?
What are the different types of 75-gallon gas water heaters?
Are 75-gallon gas water heaters worth it?
What do you look for in the best 75-gallon gas water heaters?
The American Standard 75-76-AS commercial water heater provides the perfect amount of water and heating power for large residences and small businesses.
The tank provides 80% thermal efficiency, helping to keep the heat inside the tank.
The tank comes with high end Dura-Glas glass lining to prevent corrosion, and this unit also boasts of self-cleaning technology that reduces the amount of necessary maintenance.
3-year limited warranty on the tank and a 1-year limited warranty on component parts.
75-gallon gas water heaters provide hot water to your home with direct or indirect gas-powered heating processes similar to other units, they just hold a lot more water! In fact, they can be huge. They come in “light” duty, and also a bigger commercial grade.
The tank holds 75 gallons of warm water, and, when needed, the water is dispersed to the correct faucet or appliance.
75-gallon water tanks fit the needs of any household or establishment with a high-usage need of 100 gallons per hour. On a commercial level, restaurants with a mechanical warewasher require a 75-gallon tank at a minimum.
What Are The Different Types of 75 Gallon Gas Water Heaters?
Gas water heaters either use natural gas or propane. Natural gas is often viewed as safer than propane, and it’s the more efficient option, also making it the more popular option.
However, natural gas isn’t offered everywhere, and propane heats water more quickly. Propane offers a suitable alternative to natural gas when natural gas isn’t available.
75 gallon gas water heaters have larger capacity tanks that hold the hot water. A 75 gallon water tank takes up a lot of room, but tanks come in slightly different sizes to accommodate the space you have. Tanks come in tall, medium, or short options. (The taller the tank, the thinner the tank.)
How Does a 75 Gallon Gas Water Heater Work?
Gas water heaters use either a direct-fired or indirect-fired method to heat the water, regardless of the size rating.
Direct-fired water heaters use a pilot light to directly heat the water in the tank. The water heater contains an open-flame burner that ignites when temperatures reach owner-controlled settings. A ventilation system transfers the combustible gas outside of your home.
Indirect-fired water heaters transfer heat in a separate boiler to the water tank using coils. Ideally, the tank will be placed close to the boiler since the more distance between the two, the more energy needs to transfer the heat.
Most indirect-fired water heaters are more energy-efficient than direct-energy water heaters. Indirect-fired water heaters don’t require as much maintenance since they don’t have a burner.
There are a number of benefits of gas water heaters that make them a perfect fit for a number of households. Some of the benefits include:
Easy to install
Gas water heaters simply attach to the gas line already in your home. No electricity is required, so the water will remain hot even in the case of a power outage. No gas line? You’ll need to call a licensed plumber to install a gas line.
Gas is less expensive than electricity
It’s cheaper to use gas power than electricity. Electricity costs an average of $.09 per kWh and $.93 per therm for gas. It takes significantly more electric power to generate the necessary heat
What Do You Look For In The Best 75 Gallon Gas Water Heaters?
Important considerations when comparing 75 gallon gas water heaters include:
British Thermal Units (BTU)
BTU measures the amount of heat produced by a product. One BTU is equal to the energy emitted by burning a match. Water heaters with higher BTUs will recover quickly, keeping the water hot as you use it.
Size
Take measurements of where you want to place the water heater so that you can pick a water heater that fits appropriately. Most tanks take up a lot of space. 75 gallon tanks can be very tall, and much wider than the typical unit. Ensure you have measured to confirm fit before you bring one home.
First Hour Rating (FHR)
The first hour rating (FHR) refers to the amount of hot water that the water heater can produce in an hour. The first hour rating depends on the tank capacity, heat source, and size of burner or element.
To determine the proper FHR for your home, consider the busiest time for water usage in a typical day. Use the following estimates for average water usage for the following activities:
Showering – 10 gallons of water
Shaving – 2 gallons
Washing dishes by hand – 4 gallons
Automatic dishwasher – 6 gallons
Clothes washer — 7 gallons
Add how many items may be in use at once during the busiest time of the day, taking all people in the home into consideration. Look for a water heater with a FHR that covers the calculated usage.
For example, if you have 5 people showering, 1 person shaving, the dishwasher running, and the laundry running, you need a FHR of 65.
The Best 75 Gallon Gas Water Heater Reviewed
Now let’s discuss the models and units that we like to help you can choose the perfect one for your household.
The American Standard 75-76-AS commercial water heater provides the perfect amount of water and heating power for large residences and small businesses.
The tank provides 80% thermal efficiency, helping to keep the heat inside the tank.
The tank comes with high end Dura-Glas glass lining to prevent corrosion, and this unit also boasts of self-cleaning technology that reduces the amount of necessary maintenance.
3-year limited warranty on the tank and a 1-year limited warranty on component parts.
The Rheem-Rudd GNU75-125 commercial gas water heater is a great choice when you have a bigger budget.
It recovers water quickly with a recovery rate @ 120°F of 101 gallons per hour (gph), and comes in a compact size given its capacity.
It uses natural gas (as opposed to propane) to heat the water in the stainless steel tank, and is 125,000 BTU’s. It also has a spark to pilot ignition.
The full-flow drain valve allows for quick and effective draining. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty on the tank, and 1-year on parts.
The A.O. Smith Promax gas water heater makes recovery easy with a push-button Piezo igniter that you can activate with one hand.
We really like this unit, and the price makes it accessible to larger households with high water usage.
Water gets hot quickly with an impressive FHR of 81 gallons. The lined stainless steel tank prevents corrosion, and the diffuser tip tube decreases sediment buildup.
It also has an eco-friendly design, which helps reduce NOx emissions by as much as 33%.
Expect a 6-year limited warranty on both the tank and parts.
The Rheem Pro+G75-76N natural gas 75-gallon water heater is a good choice as well, but it’s not always in stock.
It uses an eco-friendly burner, and the features include an air-fuel shut-off device, r-tec restored anode, full flow brass drain valve, and EverKleen dip tube.
It has a very durable tank, and has a great recovery rate at 90 F Rise – 75.8 gallons per hour!
The Reliance 6 75 XRRS gas water heater uses a Green Choice burner that decreases emissions by 33%. This is a 75 gal “short tank” unit.
The 1” foam insulation in the tank contributes to the .53 energy factor, which keeps the product well within compliance.
A 4” vent allows for effective ventilation, and has a flammable vapor resistant design for added safety and assurance.
You’ll find a 6 year warranty on tank and parts.
Pros
Green Choice burner
Flammable vapor resistant ignition
Affordable
Cons
Very heavy at 280 lbs.
Final Thoughts On 75-Gallon Gas Water Heaters
75-gallon gas water heaters are a perfect option for homes that have more people and don’t care to wait on hot water. While slightly more expensive, this unit can also save you money every month since gas often costs less than other forms of energy.
Gas water heaters either use natural gas or propane and either a direct-fired or indirect-fired system. Pick the 75-gallon gas water tank that can heat up water at the speed you need in a capacity ready to serve your family at a reasonable price.
Meet Your Plumbing Navigator
About Plumbing Navigator
We’re passionate about all things plumbing, and love sharing tips, “how-to”, and reviewing the latest products to help make your project a success!
Learn More Plumbing Tips
Want to tackle more plumbing projects? Check out these helpful guides!
Got Plumbing Questions? Search For In-Depth Answers Below!
About Plumbing Navigator
We write about "all things plumbing," helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
About Plumbing Navigator
We write about “all things plumbing,” helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
