{"id":837,"date":"2020-01-15T15:57:18","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T15:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/?p=837"},"modified":"2021-12-11T07:30:10","modified_gmt":"2021-12-11T07:30:10","slug":"gas-vs-electric-water-heater","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/gas-vs-electric-water-heater\/","title":{"rendered":"Gas\u00a0vs.\u00a0Electric Water Heater &#8211; Pros &#038; Cons: How To Choose?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1988 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/gas-vs-electric.jpg\" alt=\"gas vs electric\" width=\"1000\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/gas-vs-electric.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/gas-vs-electric-300x136.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/gas-vs-electric-768x348.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Hot water is a necessity for everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, and doing laundry. For many people, their source of hot water will be a gas or electric heater. If you need <a href=\"http:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/boiler-vs-water-heater\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a water heater<\/a>, then you may be wondering whether a gas or an electric heater is right for you. Stay tuned for an explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Hopefully, you\u2019ll then be able to decide which one is right for you.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1879\" style=\"width: 158px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1879\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1879\" src=\"http:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/gas-water-heater.jpg\" alt=\"gas water heater\" width=\"148\" height=\"422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/gas-water-heater.jpg 148w, https:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/gas-water-heater-105x300.jpg 105w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 148px) 100vw, 148px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1879\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gas Water Heater Image Credit: A.O. Smith, Amazon<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Gas Water Heater<\/h2>\n<p>The actual cost of a gas water heater is similar to an electric water heater. However, gas water heaters operate using either natural gas or propane. Running <a href=\"http:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/5-different-types-of-water-heaters-with-pictures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">your water heater<\/a> on gas is typically cheaper than using electricity (note: utility costs may vary).<\/p>\n<p>However, you will need to make sure that you have a gas connection in the area where you are going to install your water heater. You will also need to make sure that you have adequate ventilation. This is important since the buildup of combustible gas in a confined area only means bad news. However, venting results in heat loss and adds complexity and cost to the installation process.<\/p>\n<p>Gas water heaters heat water at a faster rate than electric water heaters. If you need lots of hot water at a fast rate, then this could factor heavily into your decision of gas heater versus electric heater.<\/p>\n<p>With proper maintenance, gas water heaters will have <a href=\"https:\/\/smarterhouse.org\/water-heating\/replacing-your-water-heater\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">similar life expectancies<\/a> to electric water heaters. This required maintenance, although occasional, will add to the cost\/work involved in owning both electric and gas water heaters. If you do run into problems with your gas heater, they are generally easier to repair due to the lack of electrical components.<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-row\"><div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"><div class=\"su-box su-box-style-default\" id=\"\" style=\"border-color:#006600;border-radius:0px\"><div class=\"su-box-title\" style=\"background-color:#009906;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px\">Pros<\/div><div class=\"su-box-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px\"><div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check\" style=\"color:#00bf08\"><\/i> Faster water heating<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check\" style=\"color:#00bf08\"><\/i> Typically cheaper to operate than electric water heaters<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check\" style=\"color:#00bf08\"><\/i> Easier to repair than electric water heaters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"><div class=\"su-box su-box-style-default\" id=\"\" style=\"border-color:#8c0000;border-radius:0px\"><div class=\"su-box-title\" style=\"background-color:#bf000a;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px\">Cons<\/div><div class=\"su-box-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px\"><div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-ban\" style=\"color:#bf000a\"><\/i> Gas connection required<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-ban\" style=\"color:#bf000a\"><\/i> Venting required<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_1880\" style=\"width: 354px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1880\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1880 \" src=\"http:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Tankless-water-heater.jpg\" alt=\"Tankless water heater\" width=\"344\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Tankless-water-heater.jpg 802w, https:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Tankless-water-heater-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Tankless-water-heater-680x1024.jpg 680w, https:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Tankless-water-heater-768x1157.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 344px) 100vw, 344px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1880\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tankless Electric Water Heater\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Image Credit: Electric ECOTOUCH, Amazon<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Electric Water Heater<\/h2>\n<p>Electric water heaters typically have a lower upfront cost than gas water heaters. However, you will have to take the cost of the electricity used to operate the heater into consideration. In many cases using an electric water heater will result in higher utility costs as compared to using a gas water heater.<\/p>\n<p>Electric water heaters are usually simpler to install than gas heaters since they don\u2019t need to be vented and they don\u2019t need a gas connection. Since electric water heaters don\u2019t burn fuel, they will also result in fewer emissions. Additionally, electric heaters don\u2019t suffer heat losses due to venting.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, electric water heaters don\u2019t generate hot water at the same rate as gas water heaters. This can be mitigated by purchasing a heater with a larger heating element, but this will also mean increased electricity costs.\u00a0 A good compromise is making sure that you have a heater with <a href=\"http:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/best-tankless-water-heater\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a storage tank<\/a> that is large enough to cope with even your heaviest periods of water use.<\/p>\n<p>Another thing to consider is that a power outage means that you won\u2019t have hot water. With a gas hot water heater, you\u2019ll still have hot water in a power outage.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, your electric water heater will require maintenance as well, so don\u2019t neglect this.<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-row\"><div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"><div class=\"su-box su-box-style-default\" id=\"\" style=\"border-color:#006600;border-radius:0px\"><div class=\"su-box-title\" style=\"background-color:#009906;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px\">Pros<\/div><div class=\"su-box-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px\"><div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check\" style=\"color:#00bf08\"><\/i> Less emissions<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check\" style=\"color:#00bf08\"><\/i> No venting<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check\" style=\"color:#00bf08\"><\/i> No gas line required<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"><div class=\"su-box su-box-style-default\" id=\"\" style=\"border-color:#8c0000;border-radius:0px\"><div class=\"su-box-title\" style=\"background-color:#bf000a;color:#FFFFFF;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px\">Cons<\/div><div class=\"su-box-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px\"><div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-ban\" style=\"color:#bf000a\"><\/i> Slower rate of hot water generation<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-ban\" style=\"color:#bf000a\"><\/i> Will not work if power is off<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<p><strong>See:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/best-tankless-water-heater\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tankless water heaters &#8211; Our top picks!<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>How to Choose?<\/h2>\n<p>Whether you go with electric or gas will depend on several things. Some homes won\u2019t have a gas connection, so a gas water heater will immediately be out of the question. There might also be difficulty venting the heater even if there is a gas connection, depending on where the heater can be installed. Besides the limitations imposed by not being able to vent or not having a gas connection, if you don\u2019t have a huge demand for hot water then an electric water hear may be more suitable for you anyway. Just be aware that when the power goes off, your heater won\u2019t work. Bear in mind that in general, electric water heaters are also more expensive to operate; but again, if you don\u2019t have a huge demand this won\u2019t affect you as much as someone with a larger demand.<\/p>\n<p>If you live in a home with multiple people, peak periods will put large demands placed on your water heater. You will need a heater that can keep up. Gas water heaters heat up more quickly and are more suited for people who have larger hot water demands. At the end of the day, <strong>gas water heaters are generally cheaper to operate than electric water heaters<\/strong> due to utility costs, so this might be the point that sways many people toward this type of heater.<\/p>\n<p>It can be tough considering all of the pros and cons when it comes to water heaters, so we hope that we have made it simple enough to choice that best suits you.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Featured image credit: avantrend, Pixabay<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hot water is a necessity for everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, and doing laundry. For many people, their source of hot water will be a gas or electric heater. If you need a water heater, then you may be wondering whether a gas or an electric heater is right for you. Stay tuned [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1988,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Gas\u00a0vs.\u00a0Electric Water Heater - Pros &amp; Cons: How To Choose? - HVAC For Home<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hvacforhome.com\/gas-vs-electric-water-heater\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Gas\u00a0vs.\u00a0Electric Water Heater - Pros &amp; Cons: How To Choose? - HVAC For Home\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Hot water is a necessity for everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, and doing laundry. 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