Around 8% of Americans replace their water heater each year. While the prevalence of tankless water heaters is increasing, according to government statistics, about 97% of Americans have a storage-tank water heater installed in their home.
Storage water tanks power hot water through two energy sources: gas or electric. When buying a new water heater, it’s vital to decide whether you want a gas or electric-powered water heater. We’ll help break both of them down:
Gas Powered Water Heater
Gas water heaters use either natural gas and liquid propane. Natural gas is much more widespread and is transferred to your house through underground piping. In places where natural gas is absent, liquid propane is utilized and is collected in a tank as a liquid.
The overwhelming majority of gas-powered systems make use of a chimney or a vertical vent. Conversely, your HVAC system’s vertical venting could allow the gas heater to bond to it.
Electric Water Heaters
Most electric water heaters use two heating elements to warm the water in the tank. When the desired water temperature is reached, the heating elements will cycle off. The lowest available temperature setting will rarely cycle the heating elements. The highest available setting is usually 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Most experts recommend that the ideal heating temperature for hot water is around 120 degrees.
The tank and the heating elements both influence how effectively the system operates. The incoming cold-water pipe and the outgoing hot water pipe connect to galvanize steel pipes on the tank.
Which One is Best?
This is a difficult question to answer. Most often, a home will already have a storage tank heater installed, which will either be gas or electric. When replacing a water heater, it would be best to use the energy source you’ve already got installed.
Generally, a gas-powered water heater has higher upfront costs; however, it could cost significantly less to operate in the long run. Natural gas is much more inexpensive than electricity in most parts of the country. However, electric water heaters have been considerably more energy-efficient, which bodes well for the environment and your monthly water bills.
Need a water heater repair or replacement? Reach out to Pro Serve Plumbing, where we provide high-quality water heater services in Fort Worth. Our expert technicians are ready to deal with any needs or concerns you have, and they’ve got extensive experience with different water heaters. Get in touch with us now to know more about services and book an appointment.
