Gas or electric, which one is the better option for us? This is the most common question when a buyer wants to buy a new water heater. There is no question inside our mind that a tankless water heater is a much better option than the traditional tank water heater. Gas or electric power – which one is the better option depending on the surrounding area where the consumer wants to install that device.
Basically, there are two types of water heater, depending on the power source.
- Gas-powered or propane operated – One model uses natural gas, or another model uses the propane gas. All these two are almost similar in design; only the gas type is different. Most of the manufacturers try to use both these two types of gas using options.
- Electric or on-demand water heater– This type of water heater depends on the supply of electricity.
There is no simple answer to find out which water heater is the top choice for the consumers. I think the following factors will help you to choose the tankless water heater quickly-
- Depends on the cost of installations
- Availability of the sources like gas, propane or electric supply
- Difference between the size of the water heater. Like electric water heater or gas-powered water heater.
- The uses of hot water according to demand and need.
- Depending on the purpose of use like homeowners or for commercial purposes.
- Electricity and gas cost in that area.
Both are excellent choices for the consumer. However, let us describe all the factors that the customers should consider before buying the water heater-
Initial cost: Gas counterparts water heater cost more than the electric tankless water heater. You know, almost $500 to $ 700 charge to install the whole house electric water heater. Wheres, gas water heater cost more than $1000. Depending on the better quality water heater, the cost will increase.
Operating cost: The operating cost depends on two types of components. They are the cost of the fuel and also how efficiently the unit can use the fuel.
The operating efficiency due to price the gas-fueled tankless water heater is cheap than the electric one. The gas-powered water heaters energy factors are 80% to 85%, where the electrical power’s energy factors are more than 98%. But nowadays the operating cost of gas power is increasing day by day, and I think the gas prices are rising dramatically in the recent future. The investment for a tankless water heater is a long time, like almost more than 20 years of investment. On the other hand, electric costs are more stable in the future comparing with the gas power operating cost.
Installation cost: The installation cost depends on where you want to install the water heater. If you’re going to set the water heater in a newly constructed building, then the installation cost is low, but if you want to replace the new water heater instead of the old one, then the price will be more.
The gas-powered water heater system’s installation cost is more than the electric one. Because you need to make a sophisticated type of installation system. When you want to change the old tank-type water heater with a gas tankless water heater, you need lots of new renovation to transform the existing ventilation system. Gas-powered need upgrading home incoming gas lines due to the necessity of high pressure of the gas to operate the water heater.
On the other hand, an electric-powered water heater needs less effort and cost to install due to the small size and less complicated design. This electric water heater can fit anywhere, like under the sink or kitchen cabinet, for its compact design. But to power the electric water heater, you need to change the existing electric line because it doesn’t match with your current electrical system. If you don’t need to change the electronic system, the installation cost will be very minimum and inexpensive too.
Water supply and flow rate: Why you want to change the current operating system? Due to getting better and endless hot water supply, you need to change the old system. Around 5 gallons of hot water per minute, an electric water heater can supply. This water is not enough for a large family where the gas-powered water heater can provide enough water like 8 to 10 gallons per minute, which is appropriate for a larger family.
The flow rate may vary due to the climatic condition of that area. Cold areas have a lower flow rate comparing with the warmer zone. For the electric water heater, the flow rate is up to 8 GPM in the warmer area and 3 to 3.5 GPM in the winter season. And for the gas-powered water heater, the flow rate will be up to 8 GPM or more during the warm season.
Maintenance: Both repairing and maintenance cost is less of an electric-powered water heater. But the gas type of water heater needs extra care and requires more maintenance.
For the gas-powered water heater, regular check-up needed with the expert plumber. For the safety of the consumer, regular ventilation check-ups required. Every 6 to 12 months interval need to check both of the water heaters for getting better performance. Also, use the prefilter to avoid the sedimentation inside the pipeline and the filter, which can also cause water leakage. On the other hand, the gas type of water heater needs more care.
Environmental impact: Electric tankless water heater can release less poisonous gases comparing with other types of water heater due to no combustion process. So, the electric-powered tankless water heater is more environmentally friendly. The energy factor is almost 98% that can save energy and also conserve water.
On the other hand, during combustion, a gas-powered water heater responsible for emitting carbon dioxide, which is responsible for creating greenhouse gases. But due to the ventilation system, this gas doesn’t affect you more.
Warranty and service life: Both the gas and electric powered water heater can last more than 20 years. But the gas required more maintenance to get better service. The gas-powered water heater offers 10-years warranty for a heat exchanger, 5-years for sprats, and 1-year for labor.
On the other hand, an electric water heater can get a lifetime warranty, sometimes some are offering five years sprats and 1-year labor warranty. Electric water heater needs less maintenance than a gas-powered water heater.
Durability: Both gas and electric powered water heater need proper maintenance for the extended life span—both manufactured by rustproof and non-corrosive materials for better performance.
Homeowner preference: Everyone wants to fix the best device inside their home to live a comfortable life. So decision making is very important. If you’re going to save your cost and want to get high GPM, then a gas-powered water heater is the right choice for you.
On the other hand, If you have less space and think about compact design, safety, and repair, low greenhouse gas emission, than electric tankless water heater is for you.
However, the gas-powered water heater is beneficial for you due to lots of positive sides to that. Still, the continuous increasing cost of natural gases and less reservoir of natural gas can decrease the demand for the gas-powered water heater. So, an electric power water heater is a better choice for you. But sometimes you need to change your decisions, due to some circumstances. The above article will describe all the factors elaborately. Now it’s up to you to select the appropriate water heater which can meet your needs and which will be the top choice for you as well.
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