Calculate water heater recovery rate and recovery time from tank size, heater BTU/h or kW and temperatures, with typical gas and electric efficiencies.

120 °F is a common thermostat setting. Change it to your setpoint.

Incoming cold water is typically 40–70 °F by region and season; 50 °F is a common planning value.

The rating on the heater label: BTU/h for gas, kW or W for electric elements.

Optional settings

Related Calculators

Hot Water Recovery Formula

The calculator uses the heat required to raise a tank of water from the cold water temperature to the hot water temperature. Internally, it converts inputs to hours, US gallons, degrees Fahrenheit, and BTU/hr.

Energy = V×8.34×(Th-Tc)
t = (V×8.34×(Th-Tc))/(H×E)
V = (t×H×E)/(8.34×(Th-Tc))
Th = Tc + (t×H×E)/(8.34×V)
Tc = Th – (t×H×E)/(8.34×V)
H = (V×8.34×(Th-Tc))/(t×E)
E = (V×8.34×(Th-Tc))/(t×H)
  • t = hot water recovery time, in hours before final unit conversion
  • V = volume of tank, in US gallons before final unit conversion
  • Th = temperature of hot water, in °F before final unit conversion
  • Tc = temperature of cold water, in °F before final unit conversion
  • H = heater input power in BTU/hr before final unit conversion
  • E = recovery/thermal efficiency as a decimal; enter 80 for 80%, used as 0.80. UEF is not this input.
  • 8.34 = approximate pounds per US gallon, with specific heat approximated as 1 BTU/(lb·°F); water properties vary with temperature

To calculate hot water recovery time, the calculator first finds the energy needed in BTU, then divides by the effective heater output, which is heating capacity multiplied by efficiency.

Select the quantity to solve for and enter the other values; pick a heater type or choose Custom efficiency. The same relationship is rearranged for time, volume, final or starting temperature, heater input power, or recovery efficiency.

Heat Pump Water Heater Recovery

Choose Heat pump recovery and enter the electrical input in W or kW for the heat pump while it runs without the backup element. Use a heating coefficient of performance (COP) that matches that input and your operating conditions. The prefilled COP of 3 is an illustration. Use the value for your model if available. Enter the starting and final water temperatures, and add the tank volume to estimate recovery time.

Delivered heat (BTU/h) = electrical input (W) × 3.41214 × COP
Recovery rate (US gal/h) = delivered heat ÷ (8.34 × temperature rise in °F)
Recovery time (min) = 60 × tank volume (US gal) ÷ recovery rate

This estimate treats the heat output as constant. Actual output and COP vary with air and water temperature. Check your model’s recovery chart for hybrid or resistance backup operation. The recovery rate is the amount reheated per hour at the selected temperature rise. First-hour rating includes hot water already in the tank.

Example: Heat pump recovery at a 70°F rise

With 500 W of electrical input and a COP of 3, the heat pump delivers about 5,118 BTU/h. Heating water from 50°F to 120°F takes about 584 BTU per US gallon, so the estimated recovery rate is 8.8 US gal/h (33.2 L/h). Entering a 50 US gal tank gives about 342.2 minutes (5.7 hours) at this constant rate.

Typical Inputs for Hot Water Recovery Calculations

These are illustrative engineering ranges, not setpoint recommendations or specifications for every heater. These estimates assume liquid water at 0–100°C and a positive temperature rise, with no phase change or hot water drawn during recovery. For gas and electric resistance, recovery efficiency must be greater than 0% and at most 100%.

Input Common range Notes
Residential tank volume 30 to 80 gal Larger tanks need more energy to recover from the same temperature rise.
Hot water setpoint 120°F to 140°F A larger temperature rise increases recovery time. Follow applicable temperature and scald-protection guidance; this table does not recommend a setpoint.
Incoming cold water 40°F to 70°F Colder inlet water increases the required temperature rise.
Gas heater input 30,000 to 75,000 BTU/hr Only the useful heat after efficiency is applied goes into the water.
Electric heater input 3 to 5.5 kW 1 kW equals about 3,412 BTU/hr.
Unit Conversion used Used for
1 gallon 8.34 lb of water BTU heat calculation
1 kW 3,412.141633 BTU/hr Heater capacity conversion
1 liter 0.264172 gal Tank volume conversion
1 cubic meter 264.172052 gal Tank volume conversion
°C to °F °F = °C*9/5 + 32 Temperature conversion

Hot Water Recovery Examples

Example 1: Calculate recovery time

You have a 50 gal tank, 120°F hot water, 60°F cold water, a 40,000 BTU/hr heater, and 80% efficiency.

Energy = 50×8.34×(120-60) = 25020 BTU
t = 25020/(40000×0.80) = 0.7819 hr
0.7819 hr×60 = 46.91 min

The recovery time is about 46.91 minutes.

Example 2: Calculate required heater capacity

You want an 80 gal tank to recover in 70 minutes. The hot water temperature is 120°F, the cold water temperature is 50°F, and the heater efficiency is 90%.

Energy = 80×8.34×(120-50) = 46704 BTU
t = 70 / 60 = 1.1667 hr
H = 46704/((70/60)×0.90) = 44480 BTU/hr

The required heater capacity is about 44,480 BTU/hr.

Hot Water Recovery FAQ

What does hot water recovery mean?

Hot water recovery is the time it takes a water heater to bring a tank of water back up to the target hot water temperature after hot water has been used. It depends on tank size, incoming water temperature, set temperature, heater capacity, and efficiency.

Why does colder inlet water increase recovery time?

Colder inlet water creates a larger temperature rise. For example, heating water from 50°F to 120°F requires more energy than heating it from 70°F to 120°F. With the same heater capacity and efficiency, more required energy means a longer recovery time.

Should efficiency be entered as a percent or decimal?

Enter recovery/thermal efficiency as a percent, for example 80 for 80%, used as 0.80. Do not substitute UEF, which includes a standardized usage pattern and standby effects. For a heat pump, use the separate Heat pump recovery mode and enter COP as a ratio, such as 3.