Storage Water Heater: 20, 30, 50, 80 or 100 L?

Thinking of buying an electric storage (tank) water heater but unsure between 20, 30, 50, 80 and 100 litres? A wrong choice either leaves you with cold water mid-shower or has you paying for a tank you do not need. In this guide from Tawredaat (توريدات), an electrical and finishing materials store in Cairo and Giza (FAQ here), we follow a table published by a manufacturer selling in Egypt, flag what we could not verify, and show no prices.

How many litres suit your household?

Zanussi Egypt's buying guide gives this table for electric water heaters:

The bands overlap (50 and 80 L appear in two rows), so the choice between neighbours depends on your real usage, not only headcount. Figures from other countries differ (for example Indian maker Orient Electric uses much smaller numbers because their market differs), which is why we rely on a manufacturer selling in Egypt.

20, 30, 50, 80 or 100 litres: who is each size for?

If you are unsure where you fall on a shared edge (for example 4 people between 80 and 100 L), ask our team before buying.

What makes you go above or below the table?

Per Orient Electric, an undersized tank gives cold water mid-routine and frequent reheating, while an oversized one has standing heat loss, a higher upfront cost and a bigger footprint. Points to help you decide:

• ✔ Two bathrooms used at the same time in the morning: Orient Electric calls it a genuine case for sizing up or adding a smaller second unit.
• ✔ Staggered showers through the day: a mid-size tank may be enough instead of the biggest one.
• ✔ Heavy winter use: build in a buffer rather than following the table to the letter.
• ⚠ Do not buy the biggest tank "just in case" in a small home: it adds cost, space and standing heat loss (Orient Electric).

Does a bigger tank use more electricity?

Zanussi's guide says heavy use or long running periods raise electricity consumption and bills, and that electric heaters take longer to heat a full tank than gas heaters. We give no consumption or cost figures because we found no public source for specific models, and our product pages do not state wattage. Read your heater's rating from its nameplate and manual. To compare types see our gas vs electric vs instant water heater comparison, and for instant heaters see the instant water heater guide.

Before you buy: space, water pressure and safe installation

• ✔ Measure the space first: heaters come in horizontal and vertical designs (Orient Electric), so pick what fits.
• ✔ Low water pressure: Zanussi says a technician may recommend a pump in some cases.
• ✔ Safety valve: Zanussi says it reduces excess pressure inside the tank. As an example, Electrolux's user manual for its 50 and 100 L models says to fit it on the inlet pipe and never block its outlet. Follow your own heater's manual.
• ✔ Earthing: the Electrolux manual says the power outlet must have a reliable earth connection.
• ✔ Protection: the same manual requires the circuit to be protected by a fuse and a leakage-protection device per local regulations. Breaker and wire sizing is decided by a qualified electrician or engineer from your heater's nameplate; see our apartment breaker guide and RCCB guide.
• ✔ Maintenance: Zanussi recommends at least one maintenance visit per year.
• ⚠ Final installation (earthing, safety valve, dedicated breaker) must be done by a qualified electrician and plumber, and never with the power on. The Electrolux manual itself says installation and service must be done by a certified installer.

Fresh storage water heaters available at Tawredaat

These products are active and in stock now. From each product page we can state only the brand (Fresh), the capacity and the white colour; the pages do not state wattage, working pressure or dimensions, so ask our team for other details.

See also the water heaters collection (tawredaat.com/collections/water-heaters).

Frequently asked questions

What size heater suits a family of 4?
Per Zanussi Egypt, 3 to 5 people suit 80 to 100 L. With light use or one bathroom look at 80 L; with two bathrooms in use together consider 100 L or a second unit.

Is 50 L enough for two people?
Zanussi lists 30-50 L for 1-2 people and 50-80 L for 2-3, so 50 L is the shared edge for two.

Is 20 L enough for a full bathroom?
20 L is not in Zanussi's table. Sources describe such sizes for limited use (kitchen or small bathroom), so judge it by your own usage.

Is a bigger heater always better?
No. Orient Electric says an oversized tank has standing heat loss and costs more in money and space.

Can I install it myself?
Final installation (earthing, safety valve, circuit breaker) should be done by a qualified electrician and plumber.

Do you deliver?
Tawredaat delivers in Cairo and Giza only.

About Tawredaat: Tawredaat (توريدات) is an Egyptian supplier of electrical and finishing materials, serving homeowners, companies and contractors in Cairo and Giza. Questions? See our FAQ.

English summary: Zanussi Egypt's buying guide suggests 30-50 L for 1-2 people, 50-80 L for 2-3, 80-100 L for 3-5 and 100 L or more for more than 5. Orient Electric notes that undersizing means cold water mid-use and oversizing means standing heat loss and more cost and space. We give no prices or consumption figures; final installation (earthing, safety valve, breaker) must be done by a qualified electrician and plumber.

Sources

• Zanussi Egypt, Water Heater Buying Guide (Arabic; sizing table by number of people: 30-50 L for 1-2, 50-80 L for 2-3, 80-100 L for 3-5, 100 L or more for more than 5; says the safety valve reduces excess pressure inside the tank; heavy use or long running raises electricity consumption; a technician may recommend a pump for low water pressure; at least one maintenance visit per year) — zanussi.com.eg/ar/buying-guides/water-heater-buying-guide
• Orient Electric, Choosing the Right Geyser Capacity for your Home (undersized: cold water mid-routine and frequent reheating; oversized: standing heat loss, higher upfront cost, larger footprint; two bathrooms used at the same time may need a bigger or a second unit; measure the space and choose horizontal or vertical design; its litre figures are for the Indian market and differ from the Egyptian table, so we do not use them) — orientelectric.com/blogs/water-heaters/choosing-the-right-geyser-capacity-for-your-home
• B-Tech blog, Top 10 Electric and Gas Water Heaters in Egypt (retailer view: 10-15 L for small bathrooms or kitchen use, 50 L for small to medium homes, 80 L or more for large families) — blog.btech.com/top-10-electric-gas-water-heaters-in-egypt
• Electrolux user manual EYE05021WE / EYE10021WE (50 L and 100 L closed storage heaters; used only as an example of manufacturer instructions: outlet must have a reliable earth connection, a safety valve on the inlet pipe whose outlet must not be blocked, circuit protected by a fuse and a leakage-protection device per local regulations, installation and service by a certified installer; always follow your own heater's manual) — electrolux.co.id/globalassets/appliances/water-heaters/eye05021we/eye05021we-um-en-id.pdf
• Tawredaat product pages (brand Fresh, electric water heaters Relax 20, 50, 80 and 100 litres and Venus 30 litres, white; the pages state the capacity and colour only, not wattage, pressure rating or dimensions) — tawredaat.com/collections/water-heaters