How To Choose a Water Heater
If you are shopping for a new water heater, there are a few things that are important to consider. Use this guide to help you learn the essentials about electric and gas water heaters.
Water Heaters
Heating water is one of the biggest expenses in a home. According to the Department of Energy, it accounts for 14 to 18% of our energy bills. This means that choosing the right water heater is important for keeping your energy costs under control.
Models of Tank Water Heaters
All water heaters are intended to heat water and store it in an insulated storage tank until it is ready to be used. Here are the most common types of water heaters.
- Standard – These come in a range of sizes from 20 to 80 gallons.
- High-efficiency (HE) – These are made to be the most energy efficient models.
- Solar – These are water heaters that heat water with the power of the sun.
- Point-of-use – These are heaters installed for a specific use.
Electric vs. Gas Water Heaters
Gas water heaters burn fuel to heat water and electric water heaters use electricity. Gas heaters are not as energy efficient as electric heaters, but due to the high cost of electricity, they are actually the cheaper option. Gas heaters are also able to replace used hot water faster than an electric water heater, which makes them better for households with high hot water consumption rates.
| Electric Water Heater | Gas Water Heater | |
| Energy Source | Utility Energy Supply | Natural or Propane Gas |
| Life Expectancy | 13 years | 12-13 years |
| Recovery Rate | up to 14 gallons/hr | up to 50 gallons/hr |
| Efficiency Rate |
0.9 | 0.6 |
| Types | Storage, tankless, heat pump | Storage, tankless, condensing |
| Works During Power Outage | No | Yes |
If you have an electric or gas water heater, All Area Appliance Services is there to help with any repair, maintenance or installation needs.
