Choosing Between a Gas and Electric Tankless Water Heater

You want your home to be efficient, your energy bills to be affordable, and to have enough hot water for everyone in the house to be able to do their daily tasks. However, finding equipment that provides all three of these things can quickly turn into a headache. At Ace Hi, we don’t think you should have to compromise quality for efficiency, which is why we provide the tankless water heater repair and installation that Fort Collins loves. We work with you on an individual basis to learn what your specific needs are, so we can better recommend a gas or electric tankless water heater. However, we believe that the best customer is the educated customer, so these are just a few of the key differences between gas and electric tankless water heaters.

Cost for the Equipment

This is probably one of your major considerations, and rightly so. Tankless electric water heaters are going to cost you around $500 to $700, while a quality gas water heater is going to cost upwards of $1,200.

Cost of Installation

The installation cost for an electric water heater is going to be pretty affordable, but it will involve a thorough assessment of your electrical service to make sure it can handle the equipment. For a gas water heater, you’re going to be looking at higher installation prices due to the fact that your entire house must be vented properly to account for the natural gas line and supply of fresh air.

Cost of Operation/Efficiency

Because gas prices today are cheaper than electricity costs, gas water heaters are usually slightly more affordable to operate, in theory. However, gas prices are increasing much faster than electricity prices, and are projected to far exceed the cost per BTU of electricity within the next 20 years. In addition, gas tankless water heaters are less efficient than electric models, running at about 85 percent efficiency while electric tankless water heaters can operate at more than 98 percent efficiency.

Cost of Energy Source

If a home or building is not already equipped to handle the amount of power a tankless water heater requires, it is going to cost far more than it should to upgrade your system. This is true for both gas and electric sources. Because of this, we always assess your home’s existing power sources to make sure that they can handle whichever type of equipment you want to install. Our goal at Ace Hi is always to make sure you are getting the best service for the best price.

Cost of Maintenance/Longevity

Electric tankless water heaters require little to no maintenance and can last upwards of 20 years without a problem. However, due to the nature of natural gas or propane, a tankless gas water heater requires annual maintenance by a trained professional, which can become expensive. In addition, they rarely outlast their electric counterparts.

How We Can Help

At Ace Hi Plumbing, Heating and Air, we are dedicated to finding you the best equipment for your needs and your budget. This means we will thoroughly assess your home and discuss your water usage with you in order to determine which option suits your home best. Learn more about gas and electric water heaters by contacting our professionals today!