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Question

Time for a new Water Heater
Gas used to be the ticket, nowadays not really sure

GAS or ELECTRIC Water Heater
Hmmm,
What u think?

Answer 1

Which country.?
Electric heaters are 99% efficient as all the heat goes into the water.
Gas being cheaper in most instances is usually very cheap as a heating source, as you only use the gas to heat the water that you use, Electrically heated water has to be stored with a certain loss of total efficiency.
Your choice

Answer 2

Is this a retrofit or a new installation?

Check energy costs of both Natural Gas and Electricity for your area. Electric water heaters are 100% efficient. Newer models come double insulated. Natural Gas in most areas is less expensive, but the water heaters are less efficient because part of the combustion heat goes up the chimney. Newer models have electronic ignition to ”save” gas, but it’s a fallacy because the pilot doesn’t replace the heat that is lost by radiation from the sides of the tank.

In a new installation, Natural Gas water heaters have the additional cost of the flue and its installation.

If you want to replace a gas heater with an electric heater, look at the cost of adding the additional circuit to your panel, is there enough spare capacity (not just space). If so, then it’s just a case of installing a new breaker and running wire. If not, you may need to replace the main panel or at least the main breaker—much more expensive.

Instant-on or demand hot water heaters are still new on the market. Both Electric and Gas are available. They are much more expensive and the extra cost will probably never be recovered in energy savings. In addition, these units have not yet overcome two main problems:
1. They only turn on when the hot water flow exceeds 2.5 gpm, so you get a lot of hot water, or none at all, no middle ground.
2. When they’re on, they’re on full blast, so if you’re taking a shower and someone else uses hot water, the water temperature will drop and your pressure-balanced shower valve will not compensate enough.

Answer 3

If you already have a gas heater, I would replace with another one. One reason is the cost of running a 220 electrical service line for a change to electric. Look at the yellow and black tags on both type heaters. This is the energy efficiency rating. Tankless heaters are getting a lot of consideration lately but my personal feeling is that they are too expensive initially and they do have problems. Many Plumbers will install them but not do service work due to the complexity of them. If you have hard water, they are not recommended.

Answer 4

I just saw an advertisement for a tankless water heater...it stores no water so, its not constantly running. It heats the water as the water is needed. i'm not sure if its gas or electric, maybe it comes both ways. But, it was pricier...like $1100. Over time, though its supposed to save big bucks on your heating bill.

Answer 5

You received a lot of good answers, but I knew a girl that was killed due to an accident with a gas heater and I wont have one, even though they may be a little cheaper to operate. Forget tankless water heaters - they have their own set of problems. Check http://appliancequickfix.com/ to find out about them.

Answer 6

Honestly I'd say a Tankless heater but since you're in the market for a Tank, I'd say GAS, you can spen a few more buck and get a HIGH EFFICIENCY which has SPARK Ignition, which mean no more PILOT light. belive it or not the pilot light uses PLENTY of gas through out the year, but the spark ignition models turn on the pilot when it needs it. check it out.

edit: They also come with VENTED exhaust big plus plus for efficincy!

Answer 7

With rising taxes and delivery charges on both of those utilities, its a toss up. Your preference since they basically now days cost the same. An electric water heater will be less expensive.

Answer 8

Am planning to puchase an on-demand type heater when mine goes, will use gas as this is already in utility room and would have to run a 220 circuit for electric.

Answer 9

First tankless is attainable in the two electric and gas, and neither one is nice for you! They fee approximately $1000. and the lime you talk approximately will clog up the waterways. All issues seen, stay with a tank, gas or electric your determination. I even have had a ranni tankless gas for 5 years and LOVE the infinite hotwater.

Answer 10

GAS STILL THE WAY TO GO - CHEAPER - DON'T GET THE ON DEMAND KIND, UNLESS YOU NEVER PLAN ON HAVING 2 THINGS USING HOT WATER RUNNING AT THE SAME TIME!