One of the most important appliances in any home is a water heater. When you have a quality hot water heater on your property, you will have reliable access to hot water, which is necessary for showering, cleaning, and cooking. When you are looking for a new water heater, there are a variety of options to consider. One decision that you will have to make is whether to get an electric or gas water heater. When you are trying to determine which option is right for you, it is important to consider the differences between these water heaters first. Here are the pros and cons of electric vs gas water heaters:
Upfront and Installation Costs
The first factor that will affect your water heater choice is the cost. Overall, the base models of a gas water heater tend to be a little bit more affordable than an electric model of the same size, but you should also keep in mind the cost of installation. If you have a full gas connection readily available for your water heater, the installation cost difference will be minimal. However, if you do not have a gas connection near the installation point, rerouting a gas line could be quite expensive.
Energy Efficiency
The next factor to consider when shopping for a water heater is the utility costs over time. A water heater that is powered by electricity typically has an overall efficiency rating of around 0.90, which is better than a traditional gas water heater’s efficiency of around 0.60. Therefore, while an electric hot water heater may be more expensive upfront, it will save you a lot of money in utility bills over time.
Effectiveness of Water Heater
If you have a water heater in your home, you will want to make sure that it will meet the needs of your household. One of the biggest factors to consider is the tank size and recovery rate. Most gas and electric water heaters will fall into the 40-80 gallon range; however, the amount of time that it takes to heat this water will vary considerably from one water heater to the next. In general, you can expect that a gas water heater will hear the water much faster than an electric one. Those that have many people sharing the same water heater may need to invest in a larger tank if they choose an electric water heater to ensure there is always enough hot water available to meet the needs of the household.
Safety Concerns
Similar to any other appliance in your home, there are some safety concerns to keep in mind when it comes to a water heater. Overall, there are more safety concerns with a gas water heater because they can spring a gas leak. Fortunately, a gas leak from your hot water heater or any other gas-powered appliance is easy to identify because natural gas is treated to give it a rotten smell. If you notice a rotten smell coming from your water heater, it is important to contact a plumber immediately to have them come out and fix the gas leak.
Reliance on Local Electricity
Another factor that can influence whether you should get a gas or electric water heater is whether your area is prone to power outages. One of the drawbacks of an electric water heater is that it relies on having access to electricity to keep the water hot. If the power goes out, the hot water in the tank will slowly begin to cool. Once that hot water is used, it will only be replaced by cold water. On the other hand, if you have a gas water heater, you will be able to continue to use the hot water heater even if the power is out. While this is not a serious concern for all people, those that live in an area that is prone to extended power outages may want to avoid getting an electric water heater.
If you’re looking for a new water heater, contact the team at Denton Roto-Rooter today. Denton Roto-Rooter can help you with all of your home water heater needs including consultation, installation, maintenance, and repair. We will help to ensure that you get the right water heater for your home and situation, and we’ll make sure that it continues to provide you with hot water for years to come.