Gas or Electric Water Heater

Both gas and electric water heaters can be considered for purchasing to help your home having hot water for showing, washing or everything you want to do. Here are the disadvantages and advantages for two kinds of water heater you should know:

Efficiency / Operating Cost

Electric water heaters cost much less than most tankless gas models. Moreover, gas prices tend to fluctuate more dramatically than electricity prices and most economists agree that gas prices are expected to rise significantly in coming years, whereas in most areas, electricity prices should be relatively stable or at least increase at a much slower pace. Ongoing operating costs are obviously an important consideration.

As a general rule, gas water heaters will cost about 10 to 15% less to operate than an electric water heater. This will depend greatly on the differential between natural gas or propane and electricity prices in your area. There are many regions where gas costs are extremely high due to the lack of supply in the area. In these regions, an electric unit can be significantly cheaper to operate. Remember, electric tankless water heaters are more energy efficient, so some of the cost difference between the fuels will be negated.

Gas or Electric Water Heater - Maintenance, Service Life, and Warranty

Electric water heaters require little maintenance. In fact, other than cleaning the inlet screen filter occasionally, electric water heaters require maintenance not often. On the other hand, gas heaters should be inspected annually by a trained technician to ensure safe fuel combustion and performance. In the event of a problem, electric units are inherently simpler to troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair and the simplicity of their design mean that they tend to last a lot longer.

Gas water heaters have very complex heat exchangers and fuel controls that are much harder to service in the field.

Homeowner Preference:

For safety reasons, some homeowners do not feel comfortable using natural gas or propane to power any of their household needs. In such instances, an electric water heater is a better choice for peace of mind. Other homeowners may have preferences for one type for other reasons, including the availability of energy (electricity or gas) in the event of a major regional emergency such as a natural disaster. Still, other users may prefer one type over another for environmental reasons.

 Electric water heaters are extremely energy efficient, with more than 98% of the energy supplied to the units is used to heat the water. On the other hand, gas water heaters have an energy factor of less than 85%. Gas water heaters of all types also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. In conclusion, each homeowner should evaluate his or her needs against the "pros" and "Cons" of each alternative.