When it comes to water heaters, there are two major types of energy sources: electric and gas. There are also tankless models that can take either form of energy source. When it comes to tankless electric vs gas, there are pros and cons on both sides of the argument. Let’s take a look at what they have to offer.
Tankless Water Heater
Tankless electric water heaters are a newer type of water heater that is more efficient and convenient. It heats the water as it runs through, so there is no need to keep a tank heated which saves energy.
This type of water heater can be a great addition to any household because they consume less electricity than traditional models and provide hot water for longer periods of time without needing to be turned on or off. The tankless design also makes them easier to install in tight spaces such as apartments where space may be limited.
These types of heaters come with an average lifespan between 10-15 years which means they will save you money by being durable and lasting long enough not have to worry about replacing them anytime soon!
If you want to go with a tankless electric heater, it is important that the unit has an Energy Factor (EF) of at least .75. This number represents how much water can be heated by one kilowatt-hour of electricity. The higher the EF rating, the more energy efficient and cost effective your system will be throughout its lifetime.
Additionally, you want to ensure that the unit is UL listed and has an automatic shut off system for safety purposes. If your tankless electric heater does not have these features it may be cheaper in the long run to go with a more expensive model that includes them.
Tankless gas water heaters are typically less expensive than their electric counterparts, but there are a few other factors to take into consideration.
First off, the unit should have an EF rating of at least .64 or higher to be considered energy efficient. You will also want a model that has a temperature rise no more than 60 degrees Fahrenheit and is UL listed for safety reasons as well.
While tankless gas water heaters are typically less expensive than electric models, they do require more maintenance. The unit must be flushed out annually to remove sediment build-up in the tankless gas water heater that can cause scaling and reduce efficiency.
Pros of Tankless Electric Water Heater
One major benefit of going with a tankless electric water heater is that it can be installed indoors or outdoors and is easy to maintain. The unit can also provide endless hot water with no storage tank taking up space in your home, which some consider a bonus. Tankless electric heaters are also ideal if you want to save money on energy costs because they will help lower the demand for electricity during peak times when rates may be higher.
Cons of Tankless Electric Water Heater
One disadvantage of tankless electric water heaters is that they are more expensive than gas units upfront, which can make your monthly utility expenses higher for a period before you save money in the long run. Additionally, if there is an outage or power surge when your heater comes on it could damage the system.
Tankless Gas Water Heater
A tankless gas water heater is a type of natural gas or propane-powered water heating appliance that provides hot water on demand. They are often more energy efficient and provide quicker response time than traditional storage tank heaters. Tankless heaters do not store heated water, but rather use the draw from the tap to keep producing hot water as needed.
This can be done with an instantaneous system, which heats up cold tapwater instantly, or a stored system, which stores warm/hot tapstream in a large volume storage vessel that holds enough volume for 24 hours to 72 hours worth of continuous operation.
The technology has been around since 1990’s but has only recently become mainstream because it wasn’t cost effective until recent years when they became less expensive.
The most popular type of tankless water heater is the gas-powered version, which heats up water using natural or propane gases and then sends it through a heat exchanger to be transferred into hot water.
They can also double as space heaters for areas that need extra warmth such as garages or basements. Gas units require more installation work and typically cost more upfront, but they are typically less expensive to operate.
If you want to go with a tankless gas water heater, make sure the unit has an EF rating of at least .67 for energy efficiency. The higher this number is, the more efficient and cost effective your system will be over its lifetime. You will also need to ensure that it has an automatic shut off feature for safety purposes as well.
If the tankless gas water heater does not include these features, it may be cheaper to go with a more expensive model that includes them. The unit should also have a temperature rise no greater than 60 degrees Fahrenheit and is UL listed for safety purposes as well.
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Pros of Tankless Gas Water Heater
One advantage of tankless gas water heaters is that they are typically less expensive to purchase upfront compared to tankless electric units. Additionally, gas units can provide endless hot water with no storage tank taking up space in your home and the unit itself will last longer because it does not have any electrical components to burn out.
Cons of Tankless Gas Water Heater
One disadvantage of tankless gas water heaters is that they require more maintenance than electric units. The unit must be flushed out once a year to remove sediment build-up in the tankless gas water heater which can cause scaling and reduce efficiency over time. They are also not ideal if you live in an area where there are frequent power surges or outages, as they can be damaged by this type of activity.
Electric Vs Gas Tankless Water Heaters
Now as we have learned about the pros and cons of both of these tankless water heaters, it is time to compare them both and find out which one would probably be your best fit.
Electric tankless water heaters are typically more energy-efficient than gas units so your monthly utilities will be lower. However, electric units can cost upwards of $2000 for a single unit which is expensive upfront and may not even pay itself off over time if you don’t use it much since the amount saved on heating bills per month would need to be greater than the cost of buying and maintaining an electric tankless heater.
Gas units typically cost less than $1000 for a single unit which is much cheaper upfront, but may not save you money in the long run if you don’t use it often or live in an area where there are frequent power outages. If this does happen, it could damage the tankless gas water heater as well.
Electric Vs Gas Tankless Water Heaters Conclusion
In conclusion, electric and gas tankless water heaters both have their pros and cons which you should carefully consider before making a purchase. You may be better off with a tankless electric water heater if you are looking for lower monthly utilities, but this will cost more upfront.
You can also go with the cheaper gas tankless water heater which is good if you want to save money initially but has higher maintenance costs over time as well as an increased risk of damage during power outages.