Gas vs. Electric Water Heaters

When you think about where your energy dollars go, you likely think about the obvious energy drains: house lights, the washer and dryer, kitchen appliances, televisions, computers, and your heater and air conditioner. Even your pool pump is eating up energy. What you might have forgotten to account for is the expense of heating up all of the water you and your family use for your daily needs. Tucked into a closet, the garage or the basement, you hardly give your water heater a thought—that is until it springs a leak or fails to do its job. Did you know that up to 25 percent of each or your energy dollars actually go to heating the water? That’s a large portion of your energy bill to pay out without regularly thinking about that home appliance.

Is it Time to Replace Your Water Heater?

Like most appliances, advancements in water heater design have resulted in vast improvements over the older, outdated and energy-guzzling models. Today's water heaters have become much more energy efficient. If you are like the typical homeowner, your water heater is 10 to 15 years old and needs to be replaced. Newer models of both electric water heaters and gas water heaters are much more efficient. Replacing your water heater with a more efficient one will help you save on your utility bill every month.

Comparing Electric Water Heaters to Gas Water Heaters

The most common choice homeowners face when selecting a new water heater is “electric water heater vs. gas water heater”. Whether choosing an electric water heater or a gas water heater, make sure that the water heating system is energy-efficient and will provide enough hot water for your household’s needs. To make your decision easier, take a look at the following selling points of each type of water heater and choose what can best fit your home.

Choose an electric water heater if you:

• Are building a new home or planning a major remodeling project.
• Can pay more up front to trade off on an approximately 50 percent reduction in water heating bills.
• Can accommodate a condensate drain.

This is best if you plan to replace your current electric water heater, while your existing unit still works.

Choose a gas water heater if you:

• Are building a new home or planning a major remodeling project.
• Can pay more up front to reduce water heating bills by approximately 30 percent.
• Often run out of hot water.
• Have space to accommodate special venting and a condensate drain.

This is best if you plan to replace your current gas water heater, but your existing unit still works.

Choose a whole-house gas tankless water heater if you:

• Are building a new home or planning a major remodeling project.
• Have limited space.
• Often run out of hot water.
• Want a water heater with a longer lifetime.
• Can pay more up front to reduce water heating bills by about 30 percent.
• Are able to schedule a regular maintenance check every few years.

This is best if you plan to replace your current gas water heater, while your existing unit still works.

All-Plumb-Rooter® Can Help You Install a New Water Heater!

Trained plumbing professionals from All-Plumb-Rooter® Plumbing can further assist you in your search for the perfect, energy-efficient water heater system for your home. For 46 years, we have been helping residential and commercial property owners solve their plumbing problems. Trust us to provide you with courteous service, upfront pricing, and in-home estimates!

Let us help you choose a water heater! Call us today.