Hi again—Mike Sanders here. If you’ve ever taken a cold shower because your water heater ran out too soon, then you’ve felt the pain of poor planning. But here’s the deal:
Tank size doesn’t always tell the whole story.
Instead, you want to focus on a number the pros use: the First Hour Rating, or FHR.
🧪 1. What Is First Hour Rating (FHR)?
📐 The Definition
The First Hour Rating is the number of gallons of hot water a fully heated tank can supply in the first hour of use, starting with a full tank.
It combines:
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Storage capacity (e.g. 50 gallons)
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Recovery rate (how fast it reheats water)
✅ It’s the realistic number you should care about when buying a water heater.
According to Energy.gov, FHR is the best way to compare units for real-world demand.
🔄 2. How FHR Differs from Tank Size or Recovery Rate
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Tank Size | How much water the tank holds when full (e.g. 50 gallons) |
| Recovery Rate | How fast the unit heats new water (e.g. 20–25 gallons/hour) |
| First Hour Rating (FHR) | Total gallons delivered in the first hour of usage (includes tank + recovery) |
Let’s say your tank holds 50 gallons and reheats at 20 gallons/hour. That gives you an FHR of ~65–70 gallons.
📌 That’s more important than just knowing the tank size.
🧮 3. What’s a Good FHR for a 50-Gallon Water Heater?
The Department of Energy suggests the following:
| Household Size | Suggested FHR |
|---|---|
| 1–2 people | 38–49 gallons |
| 2–3 people | 49–62 gallons |
| 3–4 people | 62–74 gallons |
| 5+ people | 74+ gallons |
📚 Source: DOE Water Heater Guide (PDF)
💪 4. State ProLine’s First Hour Rating: The Numbers
The State ProLine Series 50-Gallon Electric Water Heater has an FHR of 62–67 gallons, depending on the model and heating element setup.
That’s:
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Above average for 50-gallon tanks
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Ideal for 3–4 person households
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Strong enough to handle back-to-back showers and a morning dishwasher cycle
📄 Specs source: State Product Literature
🔍 5. How State Compares to Other Brands
Here’s a quick side-by-side:
| Brand & Model | FHR (First Hour Rating) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State ProLine | 62–67 gal | High-performance 4.5 kW elements |
| Rheem Performance | 61–65 gal | Similar specs, plastic drain |
| AO Smith Signature | 58–63 gal | Good value, lower recovery |
| Bradford White RE350T6 | 60–64 gal | Durable, slightly slower recovery |
| GE Smart Water | 57–60 gal | Smart features, lower efficiency |
👪 6. Real-Life Scenarios: How Much FHR Do You Need?
Let’s walk through common morning routines:
🧼 Family of 4 (Morning Rush Hour)
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Shower #1: 17 gal
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Shower #2: 15 gal
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Dishwasher: 5 gal
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Washing hands, brushing teeth: 5 gal
Total Peak Demand: 42–45 gallons
🟢 A 62+ gallon FHR handles this easily.
🛁 Family of 5 (Back-to-Back Showers)
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4 showers, laundry, breakfast dishes
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Total = 65–75 gallons in 1 hour
🟡 State ProLine is close, but might require spacing usage by 15–30 minutes.
👤 1–2 Person Home
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Occasional shower, light laundry
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Total = 25–35 gallons
🟢 FHR is more than enough—State ProLine is overkill but reliable long-term.
🧰 7. What Affects FHR?
🔥 Heating Element Wattage
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4.5 kW elements (like in the State ProLine) recover faster than 3.5 or 3.8 kW
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Higher wattage = higher FHR
🧊 Incoming Water Temperature
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Cold climate? Water enters the tank at ~40°F
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Warm climate? Water enters at ~60°F
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Colder water takes longer to heat → lower FHR
🔁 Thermostat Settings
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A heater set at 120°F may deliver slightly more usable hot water than one set at 140°F (due to blending with cold water)
📘 Pro tip from The Energy Professor: Use FHR, not just capacity, to match your home’s needs.
📉 8. Signs Your Water Heater’s FHR Is Too Low
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Shower runs cold after 1 or 2 uses
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Can’t run laundry and shower simultaneously
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Wait times between uses are long
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Household members coordinate hot water use like a tactical mission
If that sounds like your house, your heater’s FHR may not match your usage—regardless of the tank size.
🔧 9. How to Optimize First Hour Usage
1. Stagger Hot Water Tasks
Don’t run the dishwasher and shower at the same time if you’re close to your unit’s FHR limit.
2. Lower Shower Flow
Switch to low-flow showerheads (1.5–2.0 GPM) to reduce usage.
3. Install Pipe Insulation
Hot water gets to you faster and retains heat longer.
🔗 Read more tips at EnergyStar.gov
💡 10. Bonus: How to Find the FHR Label
On every U.S.-sold residential water heater, there’s a yellow EnergyGuide sticker. This label shows:
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Estimated yearly operating cost
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FHR in gallons/hour
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Model number and capacity
🧭 11. Mike’s Field Notes: What I Tell My Clients
When I walk into a job and see an older 40-gallon tank, 3 teens in the house, and a kitchen that runs 24/7, I tell them:
“Don’t just go by the number on the tank. You need hot water when everyone’s using it—that’s what First Hour Rating is all about.”
And when I replace those old tanks with something like the State ProLine, 99% of the time, the complaints disappear.
It’s strong enough for families, efficient enough for utility bills, and reliable enough to not need babysitting.
📚 External Verified Links
🏁 Final Word From Mike
The First Hour Rating is the real MVP of water heater specs. And the State ProLine delivers one of the best FHRs you can get in a standard 50-gallon electric unit.
If your current heater leaves you cold—or your mornings feel like a waiting game—it’s time to check the label and match your FHR to your household.
In the next topic we will know more about: How to Maintain Your State ProLine Water Heater for Maximum Lifespan
