Do Natural Gas Water Heaters Use Electricity?

Question

Me and my girlfriend got into a little argument about whether gas water heaters use electricity. I think natural gas water heaters use a little electricity and my girlfriend thinks they don't. On our natural gas water heater there are little wires that lead to a turn-able nob that can turn the water heater on and off. I think this is where the electricity is used and she thinks gas runs through them.

Answer 1

Well, you are right and wrong. A matter of semantics,There is a little tube that is above the pilot. The heat from the pilot heats this tube (thermocouple) and it produces millivolts. The millivolts energize a small magnetic valve within the gas valve ( behind the knob you spoke about earlier) The magnetic valve is the safety device that allows the main gas valve to operate.If the pilot goes out the thermocouple cools and stops producing millivolts and deactivates the magnetic valve. Yes, there is electricity, but not wired to the main house system. It produces it's own power. The house could blow away and the tank will still produce hot water..It could be embarrassing to bath without the house, but it could be done..You girl is right in as much it is not reliant on the power company to operate. Now, be nice to each other. You are both right. Although I'm on her side...

Answer 2

I've used natural gas water heaters all my life, because (as you know) they are the most common. About 5 years ago my brother and I were remodeling a house and decided that the gas water heater was taking up too much space. We weren't sure how good an electric water heater would work. My initial thought was that it can't be as good or people would use them more than gas. After we installed it, I come to find that they work VERY good. Everyone that used the shower really liked the fact that they could take a shower as long as they wished, without running out of hot water. It really comes in handy if you have several people waiting in line to use the shower or if someone in the house wants to do laundry or dishes while you're showering. You literally have an endless supply of hot. As for the cost to operate, I'm not personally sure. I think companies who sell electrical water heaters claim they don't cost much to operate because they're only on when you need them (unlike a gas water heater). I would imagine that electric water heaters could be safer but I'm not sure. I say that because gas water heaters can explode if something goes wrong AND the pressure relief valvue doesn't work. The last good point about electrical water heaters is that they take up far less space. You can mount it on an outside wall and use the space inside for something else. As a side benefit, they usually come with a thermostat, so you can adjust the water to the exact temperature you want. In short, I think the electric water heater is better.

Answer 3

Sorry to break the news but, you’re all wrong! At the same time you all could be right!

I think that BuzzWaltz gives a very good explanation in his answer, but there is an exception to the rule.

There are gas burning (Power Vent) water heaters; they are generally more efficient, as well as more expensive than a standard water heater. Most of these units use a 110 volt blower system to vent the water heater and supply power to an electronic ignition system

With that being said, and given the description in the question, I would agree with BuzzWaltz and say that this is a standard standing pilot water heater.

The wires that you see are actually creating a circuit through two safety devices, namely the thermocouple, and the high limit cut-off. (Normally 200 degrees). Both devices have the ability to shut the system down in the event of a failure. If the pilot goes out, the power (in millivoltage) stops and the main burner will not open for ignition. In the event of an overheating above 200 degrees the high limit breaks the circuit through the wires that you see, not allowing the main burner valve to open.

Here is another suggestion, stand in front of the water heater and look at it. Do you see any wires coming out of it connecting to an external power source??? …… NO…. Sounds like your girlfriend may have already done this. Now go tell her she has a right to tease you about it.

Answer 4

Gas water heaters have 2 ways of being lit. The oldest war is to have a pilot light burning all the time. The newer gas ones use a small electric spark to ignite the burner. This is much safer.

Answer 5

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I don't think your question is which is cheapest to use, I sense you are inquiring about ecological effects. Using gas at home burns fossil fuel and pollutes the air. Using electricity at home usually means that a power plant somewhere is burning coal, oil or natural gas and polluting the air. I am advised that heating water at home with gas is more efficient in the consumption of natural gas than having a power company burn natural gas to create electricity and then having electricity transmission losses along the way to my home. Electric is probably better from an air pollution standpoint if you obtain your electricity from a nuclear power, wind power or solar power generating station.

Answer 6

No. That's why they are called gas water heaters. There are electric water heaters and there are gas water heaters.

Answer 7

Your girlfriend is right. Gas water heaters use no electric. I've had mine for years and there is no electric running to it. You may be thinking gas dryers. I have one of those to and it does have an electric plug.

Answer 8

Yes some gas heaters use electricity for starting the burner and for the thermostat the tells the heater when to turn on,