Electric vs. gas? What's right for you and your home? Whatever you decide, new energy-efficient water heaters use less energy and are offered in a variety of options, while also heating water faster than older models. Some even heat water instantaneously and don't have a tank at all.
Water heaters can be powered by natural gas, propane, fuel oil, or electricity. It can be expensive to cycle water throughout the day when people in your household take a shower or run the water. Expenses can also increase due to standby heat loss, which is caused when the hot water in the tank drops below a certain temperature. Choosing the right energy plan, can help you manage these energy costs.
Gas Water Heaters
When you think of a water heater, odds are the picture in your mind is of a traditional gas water heater with a big and bulky tank and a gas pilot that ignites a burner. Gas water heaters tend to have an inefficient way of heating as cold water is continuously added to the hot water in the tank, which cools it down causing the entire water tank to need reheating.
For this reason, many water heaters are placed in the garage or basement where any added heat won't affect the living areas of your home. However, because they're inexpensive, gas powered storage water heaters are the most common form of water heater, according to Smarter House. Additionally, gas water heaters typically last between 10-15 years depending on how well they are maintained, making it easy to replace and forget.
Customers may want to avoid higher upfront costs, opting to go with a less expensive water heater. However, avoiding a higher cost initially may not always save you money in the long run. You could spend more money in the long-run when you choose a less expensive water heater due to potential operation and maintenance costs.
Electric Water Heaters
Like their gas counterparts, traditional electric water heaters have a large tank and a heating mechanism that converts cold water into hot water. The water is ready for use anytime you turn on the hot water faucet.
According to the EnergyRates website, natural gas is usually less expensive than electricity. Deciding between an electric vs. gas water heater is more a question of economics than preference. Bob Vila says that while electric water heaters may cost more to run than gas-powered water heaters, they're less expensive to purchase because they do not require the complicated gas hookup, installation fees, and open flame heating mechanism of a gas water heater. Homes that lack a gas hookup, or buildings that are electric-only can drive people to use an electric water heater (vs. gas) due to the convenience of the installation and operation.
Comments