Water Heaters are the most demanded household appliance, especially during winters. Heating water is the second largest expense in your house. Choosing a water heater that suits all your requirements and does not amp up your utility bills is crucial. With so many options available in the market, it might get intimidating while selecting the correct type of water heater. So, which type of water heater is the right deal for you? Let’s see the detail comparison between a gas water heater vs electric water heater. Read on to understand both the types in detail and then select the right one.
Gas Water Heater Vs Electric Water Heater
1. Working: A gas water heater uses the heat from burning fuel, usually, natural gas to heat water. An electric water heater uses electric resistance coils to heat water. Electric water heaters are more energy-efficient than gas water heaters. But, the expense of power itself makes the running expenses of an electric warmer higher. Gas water heaters likewise have a lot quicker recuperation rate, making them a helpful alternative for bigger families.
2. Performance: A gas can warm up to 50 gallons of water in one go. The recovery rate, i.e., the time required to reheat the water, is a lot quicker than that of an electric warmer. Another benefit of conventional gas water heaters is that they don’t require electricity to work so that they can work in a power outage. For big families, a gas water heater is generally a superior decision over an electric one, as an electric water heater will not meet the demands of a bigger family. The major disadvantage of an electric water heater is that it has a relatively low recovery rate compared to a gas water heater. Also, an electric water heater does work in a power outage.
3. Efficiency: Gas water heaters are less efficient as compared to electric water heaters. The significant heat loss in gas water heaters happens through walls of the storage tanks and exhaust gases. Gas water heaters are a decent buy from a convenience perspective as it keeps the water hot at all times, which means energy is continually utilized/lost. Electric water heaters are progressively proficient and energy productive. However, the reserve funds in actual energy utilization are relieved by the greater power expenses instead of gas. If you are willing to pay high installation charges, you can invest in electric heat pumps as they are more energy-efficient.
4. Utility bills – The cost of buying an electric or gas water heater might be the same. However, electric water heaters have higher operating expenses as high electricity consumption can amp up the utility bills than gas usage. Gas water heaters are always a more economical option as gas is cheaper than electricity.
5. Recovery rate – Gas water heaters have a high recovery rate and keep the water hot for an extended period, making it more economical.
6. Installation – Electric water heaters require a 220-volt outlet and an electrical panel for wiring this 220-volt outlet. These factors contribute to higher installation charges which makes an electric water heater less economical. If a gas line and a vent are already installed at your home, investing in a gas water heater is a cheaper option. However, if you want to switch from an electric water heater to a gas water heater, it can be slightly expensive as it would require installing a gas line and vents for venting the exhaust gas.
7. Pricing – Gas water heaters are cheaper to purchase than electric water heaters.
8. Maintenance – Electric and gas water heaters are both required to be checked regularly to prevent any sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. However, a gas water heater requires more maintenance than an electric water heater, as you need to clean the vent of the gas tank and the tank itself to prevent any buildup of gas particulates. Gas lines should be checked regularly to prevent any gas leaks.
9. Safety – Electric water is safer to use than gas water heaters as a gas line can risk gas leaks and lead to an explosion. Therefore, you need to ensure proper maintenance so that these issues do not arise.
10. Environmentally friendly – Electric water heaters are more energy-efficient, making them more environmentally friendly than gas water heaters. Gas water heaters use natural gas to operate and release many greenhouse gases harmful to the environment.
Gas Water Heater Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
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Electric Water Heater Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
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Gas Water Heater and Electric Water Heater Comparison
| Electric Water Heater | Gas Water Heater | |
| Electricity | Requires electricity | It does not require electricity which means it can work in a power outage. |
| Life span | 13 years | 12-13 years |
| Recovery rate | ~14 gallons/hr | ~50 gallons/hr |
| Efficiency | 0.90 | 0.60 |
| Price | It is expensive | It is cheaper than an electric water heater. |
| Type | Storage, tankless, heat pump | Storage tankless, condensing |
| Installation | Requires wiring and installation. | It just requires a gas line. |
Though electric water heaters have higher running costs while considering other factors, investing in an electric water heater is always advised. However, you need to analyze your requirements closely before investing in a water heater. We hope that this article on gas water heater vs electric water heater was helpful and you could gain a clear picture of both types of water heaters through our blog.
