Can't decide between a 50 litre water heater, an 80 litre water heater or a 100 litre water heater? Capacity is the first thing to settle when buying an electric water heater: too small and the hot water runs out by the third shower; too big and you pay more upfront and keep water hot that nobody uses. In this guide, we help you choose the right size for your household, compare vertical, horizontal and slim formats, place the unit correctly, and give you the prices in Morocco of the models available at Brico MIM.
Contents
How an electric storage water heater works
An electric “storage” water heater (also called a tank or boiler) heats the water in a reservoir using a heating element, up to the temperature set on the thermostat. The insulation then keeps this water hot until you turn on the tap. When you draw hot water, cold water enters at the bottom: the hot water reserve gradually decreases, then the unit heats it back up.
Two points to remember when sizing it:
- In the shower, hot water is mixed with cold water. The volume of usable “warm” water is therefore larger than the tank capacity, especially if the thermostat is set fairly high.
- In winter, mains water is colder: you use more hot water for the same shower. It is often in January that an undersized tank shows its limits, in Ifrane as well as in Oujda or Fez.
Which water heater capacity for how many people?
The table below gives guide figures for an electric water heater supplying the shower and washbasins. These are not fixed rules: your habits matter as much as the number of people.
| Capacity | For whom (guide) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 10 – 15 L | A single water point | Kitchen sink, washbasin, small premises, as a backup |
| 30 L | 1 person | Studio, short showers, secondary home |
| 50 L | 1 to 2 people | Couple, small apartment |
| 80 L | 2 to 3 people (4 if showers are spread out) | Family with one or two children |
| 100 L | 3 to 4 people | Family, bathroom + kitchen on the same unit |
| Beyond | 5 people or more | Two units (one per bathroom), or another energy source (gas, solar) |
The right questions to ask yourself
- Does everyone shower one after the other (in the morning before school or work)? If so, go one size up: the tank won't have time to recover between showers.
- Do you use a bathtub? A bath uses much more than a shower: aim for 100 L.
- Is the kitchen connected to the same water heater? If the sink is far away, a small 10 or 15 L model under the sink may be more practical than one large single tank.
- Several bathrooms far apart? Two 50 or 80 L units, each close to its bathroom, often give more comfort than one large tank with long pipe runs.
For a large family or a villa, also compare other energy sources in our guide electric, gas or solar water heater: which one to choose in Morocco?
Heat-up time: the simple calculation
The bigger the tank, the longer it takes to heat fully. You can estimate the energy needed with a simple physics formula:
Energy (kWh) ≈ litres × temperature rise (°C) × 0.00116
- 50 L heated from 15 °C to 60 °C: 50 × 45 × 0.00116 ≈ 2.6 kWh. With a 1500 W heating element (the power stated for the Bosch 50 L electric water heater), that works out to about 1 h 45 min.
- 100 L under the same conditions: about 5.2 kWh, i.e. about 3 h 30 min with 1500 W, or about 2 h 40 min with 2000 W.
In practice, allow a little more because of heat losses. Conclusion: if your usage is concentrated in a short period, it is the capacity that matters, not the heating speed. Always check the power on the product page of the chosen model. To keep your bill down, many manufacturers recommend a setting of around 55 to 60 °C; more tips in our article reducing your electricity bill in Morocco.
Vertical, horizontal or slim water heater: which format?
| Format | Advantages | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical (cylindrical) | The most common and often the cheapest; hot water stays at the top and cold water at the bottom, which helps hot water availability | Needs height on a solid wall |
| Horizontal | Fits under a low ceiling, above a door or in a false ceiling | Only with a model designed for horizontal mounting |
| Slim (flat) | Shallow depth (24 to 30 cm depending on the model), ideal for a hallway or small bathroom | Generally more expensive for the same capacity |
Examples of slim models at Brico MIM: the Sanili slim 50 L (88 × 45 × 24 cm), the OSLO slim 50 L (87 × 51 × 28 cm), the Ferri slim 80 L (95 × 55 × 30 cm, digital display) or the Ariston Velis EVO 100 L (25 cm deep, ECO EVO and Shower Ready functions).
Important: never mount a water heater designed for vertical use horizontally (position of the heating element, connections and safety devices). Some flat models advertise flexible mounting, such as the Pacific 30 L: always check the permitted positions in the manual or ask us before installation.
Where to place your electric water heater?
- As close as possible to the most-used water points (the shower first): less pipe, hot water arrives faster and you lose less heat.
- On a load-bearing or very solid wall, with suitable fixings: a full 100 L unit weighs over 100 kg (100 litres of water = 100 kg, plus the unit).
- Away from direct shower spray, on a dedicated electrical circuit protected by a circuit breaker and a 30 mA RCD (see circuit breakers and RCDs: the basics).
- Accessible for maintenance: you need to be able to operate the safety valve group and reach the heating element, with a drain for the safety valve outflow.
Installation details (safety valve group, connection, mistakes to avoid) are explained in our guide installing an electric water heater.
Brico MIM tip: if you are torn between two sizes for a family, look at the price difference: it is often small. For example, at our store the Ariston 80 L costs 1680 DH and the Ariston 100 L costs 1970 DH. Send us on WhatsApp the number of people and the space available (height, width, depth): we'll point you to the right model.
Prices of 30, 50, 80 and 100 litre electric water heaters in Morocco
Here are the models available in our water heaters collection (prices at the time of writing, check each product page):
| Capacity | Models | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 30 L | Marina vertical, Ariston, Bosch, Ferri slim, Pacific | from 1000 DH to 1790 DH |
| 50 L | VM Aguamix, Thermor, Ariston, Bosch, Oslo and Sanili slim, Ferri slim black / white, Ariston Velis EVO | from 1170 DH to 3950 DH |
| 80 L | Thermor, Ariston, Bosch, Ferri slim | from 1550 DH to 2350 DH |
| 100 L | VM Aguamix, Ariston, Bosch, Ariston Velis EVO | from 1550 DH to 4800 DH |
| 10 – 15 L | Chaffoteaux 10 L, Ariston 15 L | 1150 DH and 1250 DH |
Price differences come down to the format (slim costs more), the display (digital screen or simple indicator) and the equipment advertised by each manufacturer, for example the magnesium anode and safety thermostat of the VM Aguamix range, or the dual tank of the Velis EVO models. Also think about maintenance parts such as the 2000 W heating element or the flange gasket in our water heater accessories.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 50 litre water heater enough for 4 people?
It is generally tight, unless showers are short and spread throughout the day. For 4 people showering one after the other, an 80 L or 100 L unit is much more comfortable.
How much does a 50 litre water heater cost in Morocco?
At Brico MIM, a 50 litre electric water heater costs from 1170 DH (VM Aguamix), 1300 DH for the Thermor, 1599 DH for the Ariston and 1749 DH for the Bosch. Slim 50 L models start at 1900 DH.
Does a large water heater use much more electricity?
Energy use mainly depends on the amount of hot water actually used. However, a larger tank has more heat loss from staying hot all day: there's no point oversizing, choose the capacity suited to your household.
Can I install a vertical water heater horizontally?
No. Only models designed for horizontal mounting or advertised as flexible-mount can be installed lying down, in the positions specified by the manufacturer.
Do you deliver everywhere in Morocco?
Yes, Brico MIM delivers to every city in Morocco, with cash on delivery.
Find the right-sized water heater
From 10 to 100 litres, vertical or slim: delivery everywhere in Morocco and cash on delivery.
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