Natural Gas vs. Electric Hot Water Tanks

Electric Vs. Gas Storage Tank Hot Water Heaters

When determining which hot water heater to buy, there are several decisions to make. Two decisions are the type of heater (tank, tankless) and the type of power source (electric or gas). As with everything, there are pros and cons to each type. To help you with your decision, we have summarized the features of electric and gas storage tank hot water heaters.

Electric Hot Water Tank

An electric hot water storage tank heater uses electricity to power heating elements which, in turn, heat the water. The energy input (the amount of energy used per one hour) is measured in watts (W). The higher the number of watts, the faster the water will heat.

Costs

• Typically, a lower purchase price than gas.

• Usually a higher cost to operate than gas because electricity is more expensive than gas in most places. 

Efficiency

Efficiency refers to how efficiently your hot water heater uses the energy it consumes. Older models use the energy factor (EF) rating to measure efficiency. The higher the EF, the more efficient your hot water heater. In 2017, the industry switched to the uniform energy factor (UEF). The higher the UEF, the more energy efficient that model is when compared to similar models.

• Overall, more efficient than gas hot water tanks. 

Recovery Rate

The recovery rate measures the amount of water your tank hot water heater can heat in one hour after it has been completely drained. It is measured in gallons per hour (GPH).

• An average recovery rate of approximately 14 GPH, significantly lower than gas hot water heater tanks.

Other

• A safety concern because electricity is in close proximity to water.

• Won’t work in power outages.

Gas Hot Water Tank

A gas hot water tank burns fuel (natural gas, propane etc.) to power the burner which heats the water. The energy input (the amount of energy used per one hour) is measured in british thermal units (BTUs). The more BTUs, the faster the water will heat.

Costs

• Typically, a higher purchase price than gas.

• Usually, a lower cost to operate than electric because in most places gas is less expensive than electricity. For example, natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity in Red Deer.

Efficiency

Efficiency refers to how efficiently your hot water heater uses the energy it consumes. Older models measure efficiency using the energy factor (EF) rating. The higher the EF, the more efficient your hot water heater. In 2017, the industry switched to the uniform energy factor (UEF). The higher the UEF, the more energy efficient that model is when compared to similar models.

• Overall, less efficient than electric hot water tanks. 

Recovery Rate

The recovery rate measures the amount of water your tank hot water heater can heat in one hour after it has been completely drained.

• An average recovery rate of approximately 50 GPH which is significantly higher than electric hot water tanks.

Other

• Works in a power outage.

• More likely to keep up to the demands of a large family (4+ members) than electric.

• Safety concerns due to the potential of gas and carbon monoxide leaks.

• Needs appropriate ventilation so you don’t end up with a build up of combustible gas. This could add to the price of installation.

The above should aid you in your decision making process. Before making your final decision, we always recommend consulting a trusted professional. They will be able to help you with any lingering questions you have.