The Gas Versus Electric Water Heater Conundrum: Which One Should You Choose?

Thinking of replacing your residential water heater? Whether you need a new hot water system because the current one is on its last legs, is much less efficient than newer models, or is no longer large enough to meet your household demand, a hot water changeover is a big decision. The fact that there are several water heater types to consider doesn't make the decision-making process any easier, but this doesn't mean you can't make the right decision. 

One of the main considerations for a hot water system replacement is the fuel source to be used. If you're like most homeowners, you heat your water with either gas or electricity. Each fuel type has unique pros and cons that should be carefully weighed up to determine which one is best for your hot water needs. Here's what to know about gas and electric water heating systems.

Gas Water Heaters

With gas water heaters, you have two main energy sources to choose from — natural gas and propane. Because gas is cheaper than electricity in most parts of Australia, gas heaters have a lower operating cost than comparable electric models.

If you don't heat your water with gas, you can always convert to take advantage of the potential savings on operating costs. Although the upfront cost of switching to gas can be quite high, using this kind of water heater will prove to be the more cost-effective option in the long run.

Electric Water Heaters

Virtually all houses have electricity, which makes electric water heaters another popular choice for homes. While not as cheap as gas, electricity boasts of higher efficiency when it comes to domestic water heating applications. This means that it will cost more to heat the same amount of water with electricity than gas, but less energy will be used to heat water with electricity. 

When it comes to hot water system replacement, the decision of gas versus electric water heater will mainly depend on the type of water heater and fuel source already in the home. If you have a gas water heater, stick to gas. If you have an electric water heater and have access to both gas and electricity, consider converting to gas. If you heat water with electricity and only have electricity, then the decision is already made for you: go with an electric water heater. The good news is that newer models of both types of water heaters are incredibly more efficient than their predecessors, so you can maximise long-term energy and costs savings, whether you stick with the same type of water heater or decide to switch. Reach out to a professional for more information about hot water systems


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