Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Guest Post: Gas v. Electric: Choosing the Right Water Heater for You

Hot water heaters consume a substantial portion of the electricity bill of a household. It is believed that water heating consumes roughly 15 percent of the overall energy used by a family. A water heater that is energy-efficient and economical should be preferred when you go buy a new hot water heater. The two types of storage tank or tankless water heaters available today are gas water heaters and electric water heaters. A few things to keep in mind when deciding which type of water heater is best for your household include the supply outlet or pipeline you have in your home, the space designated for your water heater, the amount of usage, and the energy source with which it has to be operated.

Gas Water Heaters


Gas hot water heaters primarily run on natural gas to heat your water. A small chamber filled with water is heated with the help of burning natural gas. These heaters were used before the invention of electrical appliances. Today, many natural gas water heaters are being used by households of various sizes. Natural gas is a cheaper source of fuel, and the cost is quite low when compared to electric hot water heater options. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a gas water heater.

Advantages of Gas


• Gas heaters are convenient for a large family. • Heating is gradual and supports energy conservation. If you use the hot water immediately, you are successful in saving a large amount of heat energy. • The user is able to control the rate of heating, as well as the extent of heating. • No electricity required to run a gas water heater. • Easier to repair than electric water heaters.

Disadvantages of Gas


• Gas water heaters result in a reasonable amount of carbon monoxide released into the air while burning natural gas. • The operational cost rises every day, as the energy crisis and increasing gas prices prevail. • Gas heaters are typically bulky, and take up a decent amount of space in your garage or closet. • If your house has multiple bathrooms, the piping and related mechanism also adds to your installation costs.


Electric Water Heaters


Electric water heaters have become extremely popular due to the level of convenience they offer. A copper coil is used to transform electricity into heat energy for the purpose of heating your water. While there have been several modification made to the design of electric hot water heaters, the basic principle has remained the same. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of purchasing an electric water heater.

Advantages of Electric


• An electric water heater can be installed almost anywhere. • Easier to handle than gas water heaters. • No need for ventilation. With no combustion, there is no emission of carbon monoxide. • The speed of heating is extremely fast. • Electric water heaters have a longer average life expectancy than gas water heaters.

Disadvantages of Electric


• You must have power in order to operate your electric water heater. Power outages result in no hot water for your household. • The operating costs of an electric water heater are higher than that of a gas water heater. • There is a potential danger of a blown fuse or a short circuit.
Both of these types of water heaters have been set up to consume significantly less energy than previous models. New technological developments are carried out, and there have been many other water heaters introduced to the market. Comparing both of your water heater options is an absolute must to meet your household’s needs. While both options are productive and have a long life, being prepared will make your decision far less complicated.

Rachael Jones is a Staff Writer at DIYMother.

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