Hot water: what a commodity! From bathing to washing clothes, and from cooking to washing dishes, hot water is used daily in millions of households.
How do we get hot water? For some, it comes from gas water heaters and, for others, it comes from electric ones. Which of the two is better?
Let’s examine the two types.
Both gas and electric heaters come in traditional models, also know as storage water heaters, and tankless models, also know as on-demand water heaters.
The first kind, the storage water heater, is the most known and used in American households. It consists of a burner to heat the water and a tank to hold the water. The cold water is at the bottom of the tank and is heated by the burner. The heated water then moves to the top of the tank and the cold water left in the tank drops to the bottom to be heated. The temperature is regulated and maintained by a thermostat. This means that even if no one in the house is using the hot water, the burner kicks on and off in order to maintain the desired temperature.
The second kind, the tankless water heater, is just now gaining popularity in the United States, but it has been in use, at least in Italy, for decades. The burner turns on and heats the water as the hot water faucet is turned on. Once that water faucet is turned off, the burner shuts itself off as well.
They can be installed inside and outside the home, depending on the model.
Let’s now look at the pros and cons of each type.
Gas water heaters
Both storage and tankless models require a good ventilation system to avoid carbon monoxide build up and require a qualified plumber or contractor for their installation. Your gas company should have a listing of qualified individuals you can contact.
According to John McGibbon (http://www.jminspections.com/Living%20w%20gas%20WH.htm), real estate inspector, a flexible tubing connection and gas shut off valve are a must if you live in an earthquake prone area.
Pros for both types: they work even when power is out (even with electrical ignition, many brands have a manual ignition feature); natural gas is less expensive than electricity, therefore the cost to run these heaters is lower (an average of $160.00 a year for a gas vs. $480.00 for an electric).
Pros of tankless: they provide endless hot water supply, if you buy the larger models; even though they may require more gas to run, they only run when hot water is running, therefore there is no stand-by heat loss saving you 10% to 20% on the bill; there is less water consumption as you have immediate access to hot water instead of waiting for it to run through the pipes; they are smaller in size and can be hung on the wall, allowing for more floor space; they last longer than traditional ones.
Cons of storage: long showers tend to use up all the heated water leaving the next family member waiting for the replaced water to warm up; the burner is constantly turning on and off to keep the water supply ready for use.
Cons of tankless: they are more expensive to purchase and install than the traditional type; according to John McGibbon, these use more gas and combustion air than the storage ones.
For complete information on gas water heaters and a listing manufacturers, please see the “Buyer’s Guide
Natural Gas Water Heaters“at http://www.citizensgas.com/pdf/NGproducts/waterheaters.pdf.
Electric Water Heaters
Pros for both types: they are safer to use as they do not operate on combustible material; they are more energy efficient; in an emergency, all you need to do is unplug the unit.
Cons for both types: when power goes out, so does your hot water availability; in the long run, they cost more to operate because electricity is more expensive.
Pros of tankless: the pros for the tankless electric water heaters are the same as those of the gas ones; however, they do cost more to operate than their gas counterpart.
Cons of tankless: they are more expensive than the storage ones.
Cons of storage: the cons of the storage electric type are the same as those of the gas.
Gas water heaters are, by far, better than the electric units. If your house has natural gas lines access, it may benefit you to look into a gas water heater, when ready to replace the existing one. However, if your house operates on an all-electric system, your choice is limited to the best electric water heater available.
Things to consider when choosing a water heater are not only the operating costs, but also the start up costs, the maintenance required, the location and space available in your home, and the gallon capacity (either storage capacity for the traditional model or the output capacity for the tankless model).
If you consider a tankless gas model, make sure to choose one that allows you to turn the pilot light on and off with ease, thus allowing you to save money by switching it off when not in use.
Part of this information has been taken from http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/appliances/waterheaters.html
