Using 1 sq ft for every 50,000 BTU, what would be the grate size for a 50,000 BTU water heater?

To determine the required grate size for a water heater that has a rating of 50,000 BTU, you start by applying the guideline that suggests 1 square foot of grate area is needed for every 50,000 BTUs. In this scenario, since the water heater is rated at exactly 50,000 BTUs, you would need 1 square foot of grate area.

Next, you need to translate square footage into dimensions. A square foot can be expressed in various combinations of length and width. The most straightforward representation in whole numbers would be 12 inches by 12 inches, which equals 1 square foot (12 inches x 12 inches = 144 square inches; 144 sq inches ÷ 144 = 1 sq ft).

Thus, the dimension of 12 x 12 is exactly sufficient to meet the requirement for a 50,000 BTU water heater. This makes it the correct choice because it provides the necessary area for proper airflow and ventilation, which are critical for safe operation and efficiency of the water heater.

Other dimensions might not fall exactly at 1 square foot, or they may be greater than needed, which can lead to unnecessary costs or inefficiencies. For example, the dimensions of