The disadvantages to a water heater fueled by electricity are: Usually has a more expensive maintenance cost. Won't work during power outages unless there is a power source. Heats less water per hour.
Efficiency. If you are comparing the efficiency of an electric water heater vs a gas unit, electric heaters are more efficient. Although gas hot water heaters are less expensive to run monthly due to the low cost of natural gas—a gas heater uses more energy to operate and releases waste into the environment.
How much does an electric water heater consume? The consumption of electric water heaters varies between 400 and 3000 kWh/year. You can usually find the consumption value on the heater's energy efficiency label. This is the approximate consumption depending on the average time of use.
Electric water heaters are safer than gas water heaters because there is no gas line, burner or pilot light.
Gas water heaters are typically more expensive to install than electric ones, use more energy, and tend to last shorter periods. Electric water heaters are cheaper to install but use less energy and last longer.
Gas water heaters are cheaper to use than electric heaters because, on average, gas is cheaper than electricity. You'll spend more money using an electric heater than a gas heater. Gas water heaters also heat water faster than electric units and are helpful in a power outage.
If converting from gas to electric, not only will a plumber be needed, but the job will require an electrician, to upgrade the electrical panel and run an outlet for an electric water heater.
While today's water heaters are better designed than older models, they still require regular maintenance in order to prolong their lives. With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years.
For instance, a medium-sized, 40-gallon water heater that uses 4500 watts and is active for 2 hours a day at a rate of $0.13 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) costs about $1.17 to run per day, which arrives at $35 each month or $426 annually.
More Efficiency
Generally speaking, electric water heaters are much more efficient than gas heaters. The energy usage varies by model, but you can usually count on electric models to be the most efficient. You can look at the EF rating to determine just how efficient the heater is.
Electric water heaters themselves are generally cheaper than gas. More size choices. Electric heaters come in many sizes, such as the 40-gallon model described or even smaller models, which can be installed in specific, smaller spots and are dedicated to a certain use.
On average, when purchasing a gas water heater, you'll spend around $100 to $200 more than you would on a similar quality electric version. However, even though the upfront cost is more, gas water heaters usually cost less to operate.
For instance, a typical shower uses about 10 gallons of hot water. So, if you have a 40-gallon hot water tank, you should be able to get four average-length showers out of your hot water tank. This also depends on how much hot water you use for other things.
Tank to Tank Installation: On average, replacing a gas or electric water tank with a similar model takes two to three hours. It takes between 45 to 60 minutes to drain, disconnect and remove your old water heater.
You should have your water heater serviced at least once per year. The most important part of water heater maintenance is flushing the tank. If you don't flush it, sediment will build up inside your water heater's tank.
Energy Efficient Water Heater Comparison
According to the DOE, electric water heaters tend to be more energy-efficient than conventional gas-fired water heaters. This is because gas heaters lose heat via vents while electric heaters don't. This will help you save money on your monthly utility bills.
Installing an electric tank-style water heater can range between $800 and $1,500. A gas-powered storage tank water heater can cost between $400 and $800 installed. Installation costs depend on the size of the tank and any additional work needed.
Tankless water heaters, as you probably guessed, have no tank. Instead, the device houses coils that superheat the water as it passes through the mechanism to its destination. The result is on-demand hot water that rarely runs out, making it one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat water in your home.
Usually natural gas is the cheapest way to heat water, followed by electricity, with propane being the most expensive.
Both types of water heaters can be a fire risk owing to their high electric current draw, which is about 3,000 watts, or 25 amperes, Peck said. In 2021, there were 17 cases of fires involving water heaters in homes.
Natural gas is likely to prove the cheapest way to heat a home if you have this heating option available to you where you live. Although prices have risen, natural gas is the least costly form of space heating. This is followed by electricity, propane, and heating oil, from the next cheapest to the most expensive.