How to Decide Between a Gas or Electric Water Heater

Andrew Kyle • January 24, 2022

When you’re looking for a new water heater, you have a lot of options to choose from. Once you make the big decision between a tank or tankless unit, the next decision you need to make regards what powers your home’s water heater. It’s time to choose between a natural gas or electric-powered system.

We understand how overwhelming this might be. Choice fatigue is real and these are big decisions you have to make. Once you choose, you’re going to have this system in your home for the next 10–15 years. If you want some assistance, then you’ve found the right blog. We’re a knowledgeable  water heater company near Missouri City. 

How to Choose

Here are some factors to consider when choosing between a gas or electric water heater.

Gas Water Heaters

Here are a few factors to think about if you’re considering going the natural gas route. We’ll start with  the pros :

  • Your gas water heater will still work during a power outage.
  • Natural gas is typically a better option for larger families. This is because gas water heaters are able to heat more water per hour than an electric model can. A natural gas water heater can heat about 50 gallons in an hour. An electric water heater would take a few hours to heat this same amount of water. If you have more than four people in your household, we suggest seriously considering natural gas. 
  • Gas water heaters are energy efficient and can typically pay for themselves after about a year of operation.

There are  cons  to everything. Let’s highlight a few that might concern you.

  • While gas water heaters are efficient in their own right, they’re less efficient than electric water heaters. 
  • There is the potential for a gas leak with a natural gas system.
  • You will need specific piping to house a natural gas exhaust.

Electric Water Heaters

Electric water heaters are typically newer to homeowners. If you’re considering an electric water heater, these are some of  the pros  you should consider. 

  • Electric water heaters typically cost less to install than natural gas systems. This is because they don’t require the same piping or ventilation that a natural gas system does. 
  • Electric water heaters are more efficient than natural gas water heaters.
  • Electric water heaters are safe. We’d describe both natural gas and electric water heaters as safe and they both have their risks, but you can remove the risk of a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning when you run an electric unit.

Here are a few of  the cons  to consider if you want to go with a natural gas unit.

  • If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like waiting on their water to heat up, then an electric system might not be for you. Electric-powered water heaters take more time to heat up water than natural gas units. 
  • If the power goes out, your water heater also goes out. 
  • Electric water heaters cost much more to operate than natural gas water heaters. This is because natural gas is a cheap energy resource while the cost of electricity is much higher. 

Contact  Doug Turner Plumbing CO.  for all your water heater needs. We have “Services you can depend on!”

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