Leaky water heaters can cause numerous complications. They’re usually used in everyday tasks, including bathing, cooking, cleaning, washing up, and more. Hot water is essential when doing any of those tasks, and when the current one collapses, looking for a new one is the way to go. There are two types of water heaters though, a Gas water heater and an electric heater.
Gas water heaters work when cold water enters a cylindrical-shaped container when someone turns on the hot water in a home. The sensor in the container indicates the hot water and turns on the gas burner and heats it up in a heat exchanger. It then follows a snake like tube which flows through to the place from which the hot water was turned on.
The electric heater essentially works in the same way, but instead, it uses electric heating elements to heat up the water. The main difference though is that the gas heater must be manually connected to a gas bottle or to the main line connected to the house if applicable.
Electric heaters on the other hand merely connect to the available electricity in the house. Since water heaters are extremely essential, buying a new one can be a tough decision; it’s important to know which type you’re looking for and why, electric or gas heater?
Below are a list of pros and cons of each.
Gas Heater
Gas heaters have numerous advantages and disadvantages. Overall, they are extremely affordable as they are about a third of the price of electric water heaters, however, they are a hassle when the gas bottle itself is running low. Another benefit is that gas water heaters reheat much quicker than other types of heaters.
For example, if someone took an extremely long shower and the hot water is at a decrease, the next person will not have to wait for long for more water to be reheated. Water heaters don’t have to necessarily come with a tank though.
Generally, the main things it must be assessed on installation, cost, longevity, upkeep, and safety.
For installation gas water heaters are very large and complicated to install, requiring someone to come and institute within the home. Some types of gas heaters though are not that hard to install so it does not take too long to install. They also require some sort of installation, which will need a vent or a chimney to let out the emissions and gas, so that it would not be harmful for people within the home.
Overall, the installation would be rated a 6 out of 10 difficulty, especially if a chimney is needed to build. The second, cost, although it is deemed as reasonably low priced as mentioned before. With installation help and creating ventilation the price will increase. This would be rated a 7 or 8 out of 10 in expenses.
The longevity of gas heaters lasts typically over 10 years, maybe even more if it is maintained properly. In retrospect that isn’t very long, so it’d be rated a 5 out of 10.
Upkeep is traditionally easy as the company from which one purchases a gas heater provides a service to check up on it about once a year. Depending on the company it can be for a lifetime or for a limited amount of time, so it’d be hard to rate.
Safety is where gas water heaters lack the most. If there is a gas leak at any point it could cause detrimental consequences. Only if there is a detector nearby would it be safer, but those increase the price tremendously. Safety would be around a 2 or 3 out of 10 in this case.
Electric Heater
Contrary to gas hears, electric heaters can in a sense be placed anywhere. Since gas heaters need to be near a gas line, electric heaters on the other hand are basically just connected to electricity.
There are tankless water heaters that use a source, either gas or electricity, and there are many that can be found at https://homefixplanet.com/best-electric-tankless-water-heater/ which you can purchase within the range of your pocket. In terms of installation, electric water heaters as mentioned before are portable, therefore easy to plug in and unplug. It just needs to be mounted on a wall which can be relatively easy to do without the help of another depending on the size.
Also, there is no ventilation system required, so it makes it much easier to install. Installation is then rated a 9 out of 10.
Purchasing an electric water heater can either be expensive or on the budget side, depending on the type of heater bought. However, what can be expensive is the electricity bill that comes in every month. If it is used a lot, which a larger family might, then it will be on a pricey side, rating it a 4 out of 10.
The longevity of electric heaters trumps gas heaters by quite a few years. It usually spans about over 20 years with proper maintenance.
In terms of upkeep, the technological advances have made it easier to take care of without exterior help. Many companies also provide services, but generally it isn’t essential.
Electric heaters are portable and can be small or large in gallons depending on the home’s needs. Since technology has improved, electric heaters have also improved immensely especially in safety.
There is a thermostat that detects the level of heat, or the temperature of the water when it reaches a certain degree, coil heating prevention, and tanks that have protective fiberglass layers.
Whether you purchase a gas water heater or an electric heater, whether it comes with a tank or is tankless, there are some things that must be taken into consideration. Those are the mentioned safety, cost, upkeep, longevity, and installation.
These are very crucial in making a final decision. If it isn’t a family using the heater, then the cost of the electric heater will be much lower, though the safety of the electric one andthe longevity is much more, so prioritizing is key.