Pros and Cons of Electric Water Heater
Before purchasing a water heater replacement cost and look for the most suitable water heater for your house, make sure to read this article.
28/02/2022
Many people take their hot showers and
relaxing baths for granted until their water
heater breaks down at the most inconvenient
moment. Only then do we seem to recognize how
dependent we are on water heating which
constitutes the second largest expense in our
homes, accounting for 14-18% of utility bills,
as the U.S. Department of Energy reports. For an
average household, it’s around ＄400-600 each
year.
A water heater will significantly
impact your home’s comfort and cost, so you need
to assess what type of heater will work best for
you. The chances are that you have decided on an
electric water heater. But before you purchase
one, you should consider the pros and cons that
come with such a heater. The advantages are
efficiency, safety, and availability, whereas
the disadvantages include heating time, power
outages, and operating costs.
Before you
go
check the water heater replacement cost and
look for the most suitable water heater for your
house, make sure to read this article. Below,
you’ll find a breakdown of the pros and cons
that come with having one. Hopefully, after
reading this, you’ll come to a decision.
Pros:
Efficiency
An electric water heater is one of the most
efficient types of hot water heaters. The rods
responsible for heating up the water are
submerged in a closed tank, so there is little
energy loss.
You can look at the
EF
rating to determine how efficient your heater is
– the higher the number, the better it is. The
traditional water heaters have a rating between
.5 and .7, but a high-efficiency electric heater
might have a value of .9 or higher.
Safety
As it comes with most appliances, there are
some risks that you have to consider. But all
types of water heaters are safe as long as you
work with a reputable company and implement the
right tools for maintenance.
Still,
electric water heaters are a slightly safer
option, if you’re looking for one. They use
electricity to operate so there is no chance of
a gas leak or explosion that could endanger your
whole family.
Availability
Electric water heaters are incredibly
convenient as they require electric power for
operating. Luckily, most homes have a connection
to the power grid and so you don’t have to worry
about creating access to your power source.
Unfortunately, it’s not always the case for
people who want to install gas heaters. In some
cases, they have to create new piping which may
be quite costly, or they have to use a propane
supply that needs to be refilled after some
time.
Lower Initial Cost
From all the water heaters available on the
market, you’ll find that electric ones are more
affordable than their gas counterparts. As they
come in different types, you’ll find that their
price may vary.
For example, a
tankless,
on-demand water heater would definitely be more
expensive than the traditional electrical water
heater. Naturally, you should expect to pay more
for a bigger tank regardless of the type you
choose.
The initial cost is mostly
connected with the installation process. As
mentioned before, the electrical heater does not
require the additional infrastructure that the
gas one needs, and so you often pay less.
Impact on the Environment
Water heaters need the energy to heat up the water. Unfortunately, the production of energy in many cases has a deteriorating impact on the environment. Yet, electrical water heaters might be the more-eco friendly option, as they might be operated by power from renewable sources such as solar energy. Moreover, as they are efficient, less energy is wasted in the process.
Cons:
Heating Time
One common complaint about electric water
heaters is that it takes some time for the water
to heat up. Although there have been
improvements in this area, it still takes more
time than heating up water on a gas heater. The
gas heaters reign supreme in this area as the
gasoline combustion process produces heat
rapidly, and so the water reaches the high
temperature quicker.
For that reason, it
would be better to install a gas heater in a
large household in order for the whole family to
enjoy a hot shower before bed. Still, the
problem might be resolved by buying a larger
tank for your electrical heater, so that you
don’t run out of hot water too quickly.
Power Outages
One disadvantage of an electric water heater
is that it can’t function without electricity;
therefore, if there is a power outage, you won’t
have hot water until the power comes back on. If
you live in areas with frequent power outages,
an electric water heater might not be the best
option for you.
The best way to avoid
this inconvenience is by having an alternative
source of hot water such as a propane-powered
generator or solar panels if your home has
access to sunshine during the day. If power
outages happen occasionally, you can always use
the alternative source of hot water until the
power comes back on.
Operating Costs
Though initially electrical water heaters are more affordable and they are easier to install, they cost more to operate than gas ones. The difference comes from the fact that on average, natural gas is cheaper than electricity. Still, the prices might fluctuate over time and they differ by region, so make sure to check the pricing on both fuels at the moment.
Conclusion
Although it’s hard to say that one specific
type of water heater is better than the other,
there are some factors you should consider
before you decide whether an electric heater is
the best match for you and your family.
As mentioned above, an electric water heater is
efficient, safe, and available. However, if you
don’t have access to electricity or you often
experience power outages, we recommend choosing
another type of water heater. An electric water
heater might be a little more expensive to
operate and keep in good condition, but it
offers many advantages that can’t be ignored.