Gas vs electric water heaters have become one of the most talked about topics these days, especially since there has been an interest in switching to energy efficient water heaters to reduce the carbon footprint on the environment.

While gas and electric water heaters are both great products that provide hot water, they come with their own set of pros and cons.

Here’s a brief comparison of gas and electric water heaters to help you decide which is right for you.

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Gas vs Electric Water Heaters – Comparison

Quick Comparison between gas and electric water heaters:

Gas Water Heaters	Electric Water Heaters
Expensive	Less expensive
High maintenance cost	Low maintenance cost
Doesn’t make loud noise	Makes loud noise
Last longer than electric water heaters	Doesn’t last long
Quick heat	Not as quick as gas water heaters
There is safety concern	Safer than gas water heaters
Impacts environment if not on green gas	Eco-friendly
Not suitable to install in bathroom	Can be installed in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, garages, and sheds.

Electric Water Heaters

Electric water heaters are one of the most popular and economical options for heating your home with hot water. They are highly energy efficient, cost effective, environmentally friendly, easy to install, and come in many shapes and sizes.

There are two types of electric water heaters: tankless and tank. Tankless heaters don’t use a storage tank and instead heat the water as it’s used. Because there’s no storage tank, they can provide extremely quick heat delivery and are usually cheaper than tank water heaters. However, because they don’t store the water, they require a bit more maintenance to keep running well.

Tank water heaters, on the other hand, store the water in a tank and heat it using electricity. Because there’s a storage tank, they’re more expensive than tankless heaters but they’re much easier to maintain. Because they have a tank, they are usually the most expensive option.

The main advantages of electric water heaters are their affordability, reliability, and ease of installation.

Pros of Electric Water Heaters

1. Affordability

Electric water heaters are among the most affordable options for heating your home with hot water. They are also relatively inexpensive to purchase and install.

2. Environmental Friendliness

Unlike oil-fired or propane-fired water heaters, electric water heaters are both more energy efficient and less harmful to the environment. While the other options can produce fumes that may pose a health risk, electric water heaters don’t.

3. Reliability

Electric water heaters can provide reliable heating that’s perfect for daily use, like showers and dishwashers. They also tend to last longer than other water heater options, especially compared to tank-style heaters.

4. Ease of Installation

Electric water heaters are very easy to install. They can be installed almost anywhere in your home, including basements and crawl spaces. They can also be installed in a variety of different materials, including brick, concrete, metal, and wood.

Cons of electric water heaters

Electric water heaters provide comfort and convenience to homeowners. They save water by using less than traditional gas water heaters. They also save energy by eliminating combustion.

However, there are some disadvantages of electric water heaters too. If you’re thinking about getting an electric water heater, you’re probably wondering what they are.

Here are the top three cons of electric water heaters that you should know before buying one.

1. Leakage

Electric water heaters use electricity. If you don’t use the heater for a long time, the tank might get empty and it can lead to leakage. Leaking could be an expensive problem because the leaking may damage the roof and walls.

2. Damage to electrical components

Electric water heaters use electricity. When it runs, it might burn the wiring and the electrical components. The wires could break and the components could fail. This could result in a fire that will spread to your home and may even burn down your house.

3. Noise

Electric water heaters make a lot of noise. If you live in an apartment or a condo building, it can be an inconvenience to you and others. The noise could be annoying and disruptive. It could disturb your sleep and also disturb the neighbors.

Gas Water Heaters

Gas water heaters are also known as natural gas water heaters, natural gas fired water heaters, or propane water heaters. They are basically a large tank of water that has a burner at the bottom to heat the water. The gas is piped directly to the burner to heat the water. The gas is piped into the water heater and then heated up by the burner. The gas is then released into the atmosphere.

The advantage of a gas water heater is that it provides hot water instantly and does not need to be turned on and off like an electric water heater.

It also has a longer life span than an electric water heater as it can last 20 years or more.

Pros of gas water heaters

1. Efficient

Gas water heaters are efficient because they can burn a continuous supply of gas without stopping. This means that the burner works continuously.

The burner is also designed to burn fuel efficiently. Gas water heaters burn cleanly and they do not create smoke.

2. Durability

Gas water heaters are built to last, with quality materials and construction techniques that provide the long term durability you require. When properly maintained, gas water heaters will last longer than a traditional water heater.

3. Noise reduction

A gas water heater has a low noise level, which makes it ideal for those who work at home or live in a home that may be sensitive to noise.

4. Convenience

When gas water heaters are installed properly, they offer many conveniences that make them easier to use than traditional water heaters. They offer instantaneous hot water, a timer that allows you to control the time that the water comes on, and the ability to quickly turn the unit on and off.

Cons of gas water heaters

1. Difficult Installation

Gas water heaters require additional installation, which can sometimes be a challenge. Some models have the potential to be hazardous during installation, so it is important that professionals handle the installation.

2. High Installation Costs

Unlike electric water heaters, gas water heaters require a large upfront installation fee. Depending on the type of system you choose, this can vary. Some models may require only a few hundred dollars, while others can cost thousands.

3. Expensive Maintenance

Even though gas water heaters are very energy efficient, they require high maintenance. Because gas is used as the heat source, it’s important to keep the water filter clean. You will also need to regularly clean the burner and burners.

4. Safety Concerns

While gas water heaters are much safer than electric water heaters, they do pose some safety risks. Make sure that you know where to place the unit, and ensure that it is properly ventilated to prevent carbon monoxide from building up.

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Gas or Electric Water Heater

If you are looking to buy a water heater for your home, you might be wondering whether you should go for a gas or electric water heater. Here are a few factors that you need to consider before making a final decision.

1. Water heater installation

Installation is one of the major factors that you need to consider when you are buying a water heater. A gas water heater will require less space than an electric water heater. Gas water heaters can be placed on the floor while electric water heaters should be placed on a raised surface. An electric water heater needs to be connected to electricity. You cannot run it directly off the wall. Gas water heaters don’t have these restrictions.

2. Fuel consumption

Gas water heaters consume energy much less than electric water heaters. Gas water heaters are more efficient. They use natural gas which is converted into heat, and they do not produce any harmful emissions during operation. The combustion of natural gas is clean and does not create any poisonous substances.

3. Cost

A gas water heater costs lesser than an electric water heater. It is more affordable, especially if you are planning to install one. However, you need to consider the cost of maintenance and repairs.

4. Maintenance

If you have no idea how to maintain a water heater, then you should hire a professional for the job. This will prevent you from spending unnecessary time and money on fixing problems.

5. Safety

Electric water heaters pose a greater risk of fire and explosion. A gas water heater is safer. However, you should make sure that the appliance is properly installed and ventilated.

Summary

Water heaters are very important appliances in our homes. They help us to stay warm and comfortable in the cold winter months. If you are looking to buy a water heater, you need to consider the factors mentioned above. We hope that you have got to learn everything you could learn about gas vs electric water heaters. Being said so, if you are thinking to purchase a water heater right now, whether it’s electric or gas, we have got you covered. Check out in depth review of Best Tankless Electric Water Heaters and Best Tankless Gas Water Heaters.

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