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From: (Jim)

The builder of our new home (we bought after 95% completed)has
installed a 50 gallon electric water heater in a house that has 3.5
baths. Our house is less than 3 months old. We soon noticed that we
were running out of hot water after two baths and a shower. We have 3
small kids, so the baths were close together.

I have tried to convince the builder that the electric water heater
needs to be a minimum of 66 gallons, but more like 88 when you
consider a washing maching, dishwasher and jacquzi tub. I've done the
research and followed the calculation method, but the builder is not
willing to do anything about it after several conversations and
providing them with the calculation method.

The issue here is that YOU need, not "the house needs" a bigger water heater.
If you were taking 3 showers instead (older kids) it wouldn't be a problem,
would it?

Suppose you took really long showers and had 4 kids? You would need an even
BIGGER heater still. How is this the builder's responsibility?

Note the recovery rate for electric heaters is longer than gas. If you have gas
- I would get one installed ASAP as the electric bills are gonna kill you.

If not you're gonna have to bite the bullet and buy yourself another electric
water heater and use both in tandem until your hot water needs come down to a
more normal family level.

I even called several local plumbers hoping that would influence the
builder (we've moved in from out of town). I don't know what else to
do beside spreading out the showers, baths, clothes washing and
dishwasher times, which is something my wife is not willing to
do....yet! We feel the builder should replace the water heater with a
more sizeable one. The argument from the builder is that this is what
they install in all their house (apparently regardless of size and the
fact that this one is electric and the rest of the new neighborhood is
gas). Also they said that the one we have now could not be installed
in another new house as the warranty would not be valid.

What can I do besides buying one myself at my cost? Is this my problem
or the builders?

What help can anyone provide?

Thanks...Jim