Instant hot water heaters are slowly but surely starting to replace older models of hot water heaters. Apart from the differing dimensions of the heaters, the difference in their size and usage is most noticeable when the bills arrive. The savings in water and electricity consumption are significant. In fact, many studies have shown that the electricdevices spend almost 50% less energy than traditional water heaters. If you add this to the savings made from water usage, you’ll get a sum of several hundred dollars per year, which is not negligible at all.
The current “barrier” for every household to have a tankless hot water heater is the price of these devices. Buying and installing a tankless water heater is not cheap, but it pays off. Depending on the needs of your family, you can save extra money by choosing the right device.
This applies to the energy source that instant hot water heaters use – whether it’s an electric or gas-fired model. The question is, which one is a better solution for you? Both tankless water heater types have their advantages, and which of them will be your choice depends on a lot of factors.
Comparison of Expenses
Whatever alteration you have to do at home, the financial aspect will probably be your start point. The next thing would be the consideration of using the best tankless water heater on the market, within a certain price range.
At one point, you may need to replace or modify a part of the hot water system. Since water heaters with tanks slowly go into oblivion, your choice will probably be one of the modern tankless water heaters, whether electric or gas.
Think of the Power Source
Today, there are various models of tankless water heaters, most of which use electricity or gas as their main power source. Therefore, the choice depends on the existing installations in your home. If you make this decision in the process of building a house, you need to think carefully about which of these two ways will pay off in the long run.
First of all, consider the fact which power source is accessible. There are locations where, for example, no natural gas is available. Or maybe there is no adequate electric power source. Also, it may happen that existing electrical installations do not fit a tankless water heater. It may be required to modify the existing system, or it will be necessary to install the tankless gas water heater only because of necessary water heating.
Devices Costs
The prices of the devices also vary, depending on the power source. Tankless gas water heater models are generally more expensive, as regards initial investments, but also installations and maintenance. Also, the use of natural gas has yet to be regulated in its use, leading to larger price disparities between models, unlike electric heaters. a It means that gas expenses can considerably fluctuate during the season, but also in the coming period. On the other hand, the price of electricity (per kWh) is relatively stable, making most models of electric tankless water heaters consistent.
Working Expenses
It depends on many factors how high bills will be after placing the tankless water heater in the house . For example, how much water you use on the daily / monthly level, in what climatic conditions you live (in colder areas, you’ll need more energy to heat the same amount of water than in warmer regions), the number and layout of devices (the farther they are from the water heater, the higher consumption of energy will be), etc.
Environmental Impact
The problem of releasing the harmful gases that threaten our planet has escalated in the last few decades. Fortunately, with the advancement of science and technology, household appliances have become more and more eco-friendly and are produced in such a way that they respect environmental standards.
Also, at the global level, it is difficult to reduce eco-waste – natural resources such as water and fossil fuels, and greenhouse gas emissions. So, by choosing tankless water heaters at first, you have made a good move, because you already start to save water.
Furthermore, the consumption of fossil fuels, such as natural gas or propane, is rationalized. There is no additional heating of the stored water in water heaters because – there is no tank. However, in the long run, this is not true. In fact, the consumption of this fuel is higher, so as the release of harmful gases.
When we compare the two models of tankless water heaters, both the electric tankless water heater and the tankless gas water heater, the mild advantage would be on the side of the electric one. Given that today more and more people are starting to use alternative energy sources, such as wind or nuclear power, an electric tankless water heater is a better solution.
With the use of these fuels, there is almost no pollution, since no carbon dioxide emits into air. On the other hand, by-products of most gases used for heating water are released into the atmosphere. And you can read about their impact on people and environment here.
Related: 20 Simple Ways to Conserve Water
Which One is a Better Choice
The answer to this question is complex because many factors should be considered. To start, both models of tankless water heaters meet the aesthetic requirements of the modern age. These are small, compact and easy to fit into any interior. Between so many models, everyone can find something for themselves.
Also, both electric and gas water heater model are a much better choice than a traditional water heater with tank due to thermal efficiency, reduced pollution and so on. The current situation is more in favor of electric models, as well as current estimates of the flow of electricity prices in some future period.
Considering that the installation of a tankless water heater is a long-term investment (with proper maintenance, the lifetime of these appliances is about two decades), the cost-effectiveness of their use should be observed over the long term. And again, a slight advantage is on the side of the electric models.
Natural gas resources are decreasing because its consumption is growing at a global level. Soon, the demand will far exceed the offer. This will lead to unrealistically high costs for this fuel. That is why mankind works on finding additional types of fuel in order to keep the prices competitive.
