Electric Vs Gas Water Heater: Which Is Cheaper To Run?
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Electric Vs Gas Water Heater: Which Is Cheaper To Run?

Electric Vs Gas Water Heater: Which Is Cheaper To Run?

Coke or Pepsi? Ford or Chevy? Chocolate or vanilla? Questions for the ages, for sure. Here’s another one that the plumbing industry debates often: electric water heater or gas water heater? Full disclosure: your friends at Masters Heating & Cooling Inc. are fans of both, and we are proud to sell, install, maintain and service all kinds of electric and gas water heaters . And the basic concept as it applies to function is the same for both. Both electric and gas water heaters create heat from their fuel sources which heats the water, which is then distributed to faucets and appliances throughout the home via your home’s plumbing system. That said, there are definitely differences between the two and pros and cons for each as well. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Gas Water Heater

Gas water heaters are fueled by natural gas, which provides more heat quicker. 

  • PROS
    • Lower utility bills. Natural gas is significantly cheaper to purchase than electricity
    • Heats water quicker. Gas heaters produce more intense heat faster, which in turn produces hot water at a higher rate. Great for a large family that requires lots of hot water at the same time.
  • CONS
    • Safety concerns. The combustion of natural gas produces carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can be harmful or even deadly if levels get high. Great care must be taken during installation to ensure the compartments of the flu pipes are sealed and venting properly to reduce the threat of CO poisoning.
    • Due to the safety concerns, gas appliances should be regularly inspected by licensed technicians.

Electric Water Heater

Powered by electricity, an electric heater is less complicated to install.

  • PROS
    • Lower upfront costs. Electric water heaters themselves are generally cheaper than gas. 
    • More size choices. Electric heaters come in many sizes, such as the 40-gallon model described or even smaller models, which can be installed in specific, smaller spots and are dedicated to a certain use.
  • CONS
    • Higher utility bills. As we said before, electricity costs more than gas, pushing the energy costs higher for an electric heater.
    • No power, no hot water. During a power outage, the electric water heater is idled, just like all the other electric appliances in your home.

Which Saves Money?

While an electric heater is cheaper to install than a gas heater, energy costs over time can mount. A gas heater – is widely considered to be cheaper to operate over the long run. However, circumstances may call for one or the other and Masters stands ready to solve all your water heater needs… call us today.

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