Choosing Between Gas and Electric Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are rising in popularity because they heat water only when you need it, giving you endless hot water. They also take up less space. You have two options when choosing a tankless water heater: gas or electric.
Gas models use gas or propane as a fuel source to heat water, while electric models use electricity. And while gas models have a higher flow rate and are great for large households, they’re relatively complex to install and need proper venting. Electric models have a lower flow rate, are simpler to install, and are ideal for small households.
Here’s a more in-depth look at the differences between the two.
How Tankless Water Heaters Work
Tankless water heaters heat water when you turn on the tap, rather than storing it in a tank. When you turn on your hot water tap, cold water flows into your tankless water heater. This process activates either your heating element, if you have an electric unit, or your burner, if you have a gas unit. The water then moves through your heat exchanger, where it’s heated. As soon as you turn off your hot water tap, the system shuts down.
While gas and electric models use a different process of transferring heat, they share some features.
- On-demand: Both start heating water as soon as you turn on the hot water tap.
- Heat exchanger: Both use a type of heat exchanger to heat your water.
- Flow sensor: Both use a flow sensor, which detects when cold water flows into your unit.
Benefits Over Traditional Tank Heaters
- Continuous flow of hot water: Because the unit heats hot water only when you need it, you won’t run out.
- Tankless water heater efficiency: Heating water on demand saves energy, as you’re not keeping a full tank of water hot all the time.
- Longer lifespan: On average, tankless water heaters last for about 20 years compared to their traditional tank heaters, which last for about 15 years.
- Saves space: Tankless water heaters are small compared to traditional tank heaters. You can even mount them on a wall, making them ideal for smaller homes.
Gas Tankless Water Heaters
Gas tankless water heaters use natural gas or propane as a fuel source to heat water. When you turn on your hot water tap, the flow sensor activates a high-powered gas burner.
Pros
- Higher flow rates
- Better if you have a large household or a high-demand home
- Ideal in a home where multiple fixtures are running at the same time
Cons
- There’s a higher installation cost
- You may need a gas line upgrade, especially if you have an older home
- Requires venting to expel the gas
Electric Tankless Water Heaters
Electric tankless water heaters use powerful electric heating elements to heat water. When you turn on your hot water tap, the flow sensor activates the heating element.
Pros
- Lower upfront cost compared to their gas counterparts
- Easier to install as gas lines aren’t needed
- No venting is required
- Energy-efficient solution for small to medium households
Cons
- May need electrical panel upgrades to ensure your home can meet the unit’s electrical demand.
- Lower flow rates compared to gas models
- Not an ideal solution for large households or when multiple people in the home are using hot water simultaneously
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing
Choosing the right tankless water heater for your home can be a little challenging. Here are some factors you’ll need to consider.
Household Size & Hot Water Demand
- Single users vs. large families: Large families should opt for a gas tankless water heater. If you’re a single user or in a 2-person household, an electric unit should work well.
- Number of bathrooms and fixtures: Choose a gas tankless water heater if multiple people will be using the hot water at the same time. If you’re a single user or you have just one bathroom, an electric model may be a better fit.
Utility Availability
Your utilities will largely determine what unit you should choose. If you only have electric service, purchase an electric unit. It’s probably not worth the hassle to convert to natural gas.
On the other hand, if you have a natural gas line, purchase a gas unit. And if you don’t have a natural gas line but still want to use gas as your fuel source, a propane tankless water heater is an excellent alternative.
Tankless Water Heater Installations and Their Requirements
- Gas units: To install a gas tankless water heater, you’ll need a natural gas line connection as well as proper venting.
- Electric unit: To install an electric tankless water heater, you’ll need an efficient electrical panel. Have one of our electricians inspect your panel to determine if you need an upgrade.
Energy Efficiency & Operating Costs
To get an estimate of what you’ll be paying every month, do a cost-per-BTU analysis and compare local energy prices in the area. Consider the climate in Florida as well. In Melbourne, the warm groundwater means your tankless water heater won’t have to do as much work to heat your water.
Space & Location
Gas models need more space and require proper ventilation, so they’ll probably do better outdoors. They also need the required clearances for proper combustion.
Electric models are more flexible, since you don’t have to worry about gas. You can install them either indoors or outdoors, but they will still need the required clearances for airflow.
Cost Comparison
- Upfront installation cost: Gas models tend to be more expensive to install as plumbers need to ensure proper ventilation. They also need additional labor to meet the required safety standards.
- Long-term operating cost: Electric models are more expensive to run in the long term as electricity is pricier than gas.
- Expected lifespan: Both models have an expected lifespan of about 20 years.
Which Type Is Better for Florida Homes?
The warmer Melbourne, FL, climate reduces the amount of work that tankless water heaters must do to heat the water, which means electric models often perform well here. However, if you have a large family or have high hot-water demands, a gas model may be the better choice.
Professional Recommendations
There are a lot of factors that go into choosing the right tankless water heater for your home, such as the fuel source, the tankless water heater size, and more. That’s why we strongly suggest getting input from our professional plumbers.
They can determine the exact size you need for your home. And because they are fully licensed for any plumbing and electrical work, they can ensure your tankless water heater installation complies with all the required local codes.
Lastly, plumbers can pass along important maintenance tips, such as flushing it out annually or testing the pressure relief valve regularly.
Get Help From Melbourne Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Gas and electric tankless water heaters offer hot water on demand and don’t use a tank to store water. The two systems have key differences, though.
Gas models use gas to heat water and have higher flow rates than electric models, making them ideal for large households. However, they’re more complicated to install, require proper venting, and need more space.
Electric models use electricity to heat water and are simpler to install, making them ideal for smaller households or single users. However, over the long term, they are costlier, and they have a lower flow rate than gas models.
Our Benjamin Franklin Melbourne Plumbers
Need a professional for an assessment? Our Benjamin Franklin plumbers in Melbourne can help. We can walk you through your options, explain the differences, and help you choose a system that matches your needs and budget. We offer professional installations and water heater replacements.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We’ll arrive on time with all the tools needed. And if there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay.