The
future is electric water heaters
In the long-run, electric water heat is best
> Reasons include: insulation <> widespread availability <> timer <> installation cost <> ease of repair <> long term energy outlook <> simple integration with other energy sources
1. Electric water heaters are safer. Both gas and electric heaters have TP valve that releases water during high-pressure incidents. But electric heaters have two additional defenses. The circuit breaker turns off power in case of a short. And the ECO red reset button that turns off power in case of overheating. New gas heaters have added features to the combustion chamber to prevent ignition of external fuel source such as spilled gasoline, but incoming natural gas poses a danger.
2. Electric heaters are less expensive to buy
3. Electric water heaters are easier to install.
Homeowner can install electric water heater with minimal tools
Gas water heaters can be installed by homeowner but gas line and venting requirements pose dangers of explosion and CO poisoning
Tankless gas are high-tech gadgets with technical specifications that require professional installation
4. Electric water heater can be insulated entirely see illustration
With gas water heater, additional insulation can only be added to sides, not to top
5. Replacement parts for electric heaters are available locally at any hardware or plumbing supply
Gas water heaters are more complex <> parts may not be interchangeable between brands
Tankless water heaters are very complex gadgets see comparison of parts
6. Electric water heaters require no fresh air inlet from outdoors
Gas water heaters need air for combustion > this air is drawn from outdoors, even during weather extremes
Tankless gas heaters draw much more air because they consume more fuel per minute. Some tankless require direct outdoor air inlet.
7. Electric water heater can be turned off using a simple timer, making it adaptable to energy price swings. See off-peak water heater
Innovation: Gas water heater timers have just been introduced to the market read
Innovation: New type of gas water heater valve can integrate with external controls and timers, but requires larger pilot flame
Tankless claims of energy & money savings are only possible when consumption is reduced, but still do not account for hidden costs
8. Small under-sink electric heaters can be placed at point of use to reduce wasted water and energy.
Gas water heaters cannot be easily installed under sink since they require gas line, plus vent pipe to outdoors.
9. Portable water heaters can be made with 110Volt element and 5 gallon bucket
10. Switching to electric water heater is simple and takes 1 circuit breaker and length of 10 ga wire see
Switching from electric water heater to gas water heater requires 1/2" gas line and 3-4" venting to outdoors
Switching to tankless gas or tankless electric takes larger gas line & larger vent. In the case of electric, a larger electric service is required
11. Electric and Gas water heaters can store heat gathered from other sources, such as solar, wood-burning, geothermal, heat-exchanger, and recycled drain water.
Tankless units cannot store heat from other sources > they use only hydrocarbon fuel
12. Electric water heater elements deliver BTUs efficiently
Gas heats water faster and delivers more BTUs per minute, but heated air from gas combustion is lost out vent stack
New gas heaters are using a coiled tube inside tank to recover lost heat, but these units require additional fan, more parts and are more expensive
14. Electric water heaters have top and bottom thermostat so water heating can be accurately controlled in tank, and off-peak can turn off bottom element
Gas water heaters have a single thermostat located at bottom,
The gas burner is located at bottom, so entire tank must be fully heated at all times.
Innovation: Whirlpool is introducing new gas valve that has temperature thermistors at top and bottom of tank for better heater options
Innovation: AO Smith peak demand gas water heater has burner on top of unit See all new water heater ideas
15. Electricity is run above ground, and is widely available in remote areas
Gas is shipped around nation via pipeline. Individual neighborhoods may or may not have gas service. Propane service is available in rural areas.
14. CO2 emissions from electricity are localized at power-generation plant
Gas water heaters release CO2 at each home where combustion takes place
16. Electricity can be generated using nuclear power. The Earth has abundant uranium resource read
Natural gas is plentiful at this time, but requires continual exploration with spikes in price and supply
17. Division of labor: Natural gas can power tractors and large trucks, while electricity can power cars and water heaters.
