The electricity required to heat your house's water requires a lot. In fact, roughly 12 percent of an average home's energy consumption is spent heating water. How much hot water you use, as well as the type and size of your water heater will affect how much energy you use. When you're ready to replace your water heater, it is important to look at all options before making a decision.
The efficiency aspect of electric water heaters is what makes them superior to gas heaters. Conventional gas water heaters usually have EF numbers ranging between 0.5 to 0.7. While electric water heaters may have EF figures higher than 0.9, they are more efficient. The venting process is where most energy loss occurs in gas water heaters. It is absent in electric water heaters.
Safety
Both gas and electric water heaters provide safe ways to heat water. However, gas water heaters can still leak like any other gas appliance. This can be mitigated by proper maintenance and inspections to your gas water heater.
Although electrical appliances do have their safety concerns, the likelihood of an electrical appliance leaking is much greater than that of a water heater leaking.
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Nearly all homes are tied to an electric grid. They have an available source of electricity for any time the power grid goes down. This means that virtually any home can be equipped with an electric water heater.
You will also need to make sure that your home is connected either to a natural or propane supply. Installing a gas heater can be expensive if you don't make the necessary upgrades.
Cons of electric water heaters
However, electric water heaters may not be the right solution for every household. Here are some downsides to an electric water heater.
Heating time and recovery rate
Do you find yourself waiting for the water to heat up in your shower? This is because electric water heaters take much longer than gas heaters. This is because electric heating generates heat at twice the speed of gasoline combustion.
Gas water heaters are more efficient in terms of their recovery rate. The heat output of the water heater to reach a particular temperature within a time period. Gas water heaters can be an option for large households with higher hot water needs. Or, gas water heaters will not provide the same recovery rate for smaller households.
Power outages
Electric water heaters won't provide hot water if the grid is disrupted by a storm or other calamity. Gas water heaters can work even when the power is off.
If you are going to make this a key factor in your decision, confirm that your gas-water heater does not require electricity to operate. Even though electricity isn’t the primary source, some modern gas water heaters use an electrical ignition. These water heaters may not be usable in the event that there is a power cut.
Operating costs
Although electric water heaters perform better than gas water heaters in terms of efficiency, it is likely that you will spend less overall on heating your water supply by using gas. This is due to the price of the fuel source. The cost of natural gas, which is currently the cheapest source of energy, will almost always be lower than the cost of electricity.
Natural gas and electric costs can differ by region so it's worth comparing them all before you make your final decision on how to heat the water. Electric water heaters may be offered as an affordable option by some utilities.
Solar panels are used to power electric water heaters
If your only concern with purchasing an electric water heater is the operating cost, you can always pair your electric water heater with a solar energy system. Solar panels allow you to run your water heater using the power of the sun instead of purchasing electricity from your utility. Solar panels systems are able to help you save more than your water heating costs. In fact, they can reduce (or even eliminate) your entire electricity consumption.
If you're looking to see what you can save by installing solar panels, sign up for the EnergySage Solar Marketplace. Up to seven free solar quotes can be provided, tailored to your home. To get a quote from an installer based on your expected electricity consumption, you can simply add the information to your account.
