Is Electric or Gas Hot Water System Best for Your Household?

When it comes to selecting between an electric and gas hot water system, what system would be best for my household? Well, it will depend on the hot water needs of your household. Over the past ten years, there has been a tremendous development in hot water system technology and performance and now there is a better hot water system available to fulfil your hot water demands and budget. Your local plumber can offer you expert advice and the best available hot water system alternatives to fulfil your needs and help you to make a well-informed decision.

Availability of the Heat Source

If your energy source does not support gas, then you can’t have a gas-powered hot water system. If your home is not equipped with gas or you reside in an area where you aren’t allowed to use gas appliances, then you may be limited to another form of a power source like solar or electric.

Here are the Considerations for Hot Water Systems

• What type of hot water system will best suit your requirement?
• What services do you have access to, such as gas, electricity or solar?
• Do you have an external or internal hot water system on your property?
• Can you find a better location on your property for installing hot water service that may enhance efficiency or curtail install cost, or both?

Well, your local plumber can offer you all this vital information, which will allow you to decide with the utmost ease.

Gas Hot Water System

Gas hot water systems are available in three, four and five energy star rating efficiency variants, making them a cost-efficient alternative for your hot water supply. However, you need to have access and be attached to the city’s gas mains to run these systems. Besides, you can purchase LPG (gas cylinder) hot water systems but it will considerably raise the operating cost of your hot water service. You can install a gas hot water system externally and internally. Natural gas hot water systems provide better energy efficiency than their predecessors, generate fewer greenhouse emissions and have lesser usage rates than electric hot water systems.

Advantages

• You get both indoor (flued) and outdoor models for gas hot water.
• It is cost-efficient to install.
• With a gas hot water system, you get three, four and five-star energy-saving variants.
• It is safe to operate.
• It produces lesser greenhouse gas emissions than electric alternatives.

Drawbacks

• Your town’s gas supply is needed to install and use a gas hot water system.
• Initial purchase cost of the gas hot water system is higher than electric hot water system.

Electric Hot Water System

Electric hot water systems are the least expensive to purchase and install but they’re pricier to run. You can connect your electric hot water system to the off-peak tariff, which means the water will only heat during night hours at a reduced electricity rate. Besides, electric hot water systems are available in both internal and external variants. Moreover, connecting to the wind or solar power, you can curtail the overall operating cost when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining.

Advantages

• Electric hot water system comes in compact sizes, perfect for limited hot water applications, especially for small apartments or office kitchens.
• It is safe to operate.
• Electric hot water system is cost-efficient to purchase and install.
• Both indoor and outdoor alternatives are available and installation is flexible.

Drawbacks

• Electric water heater heats slower than the gas heating system.
• It is less energy-efficient than gas.
• High operating costs if used on a continuous tariff.
• It emits more greenhouse gas than gas water heaters.

The Bottom Line

Agreed, you can save on upfront purchase cost when buying an electric water heater but you may lose in the long run in operating costs. Thus, where possible, choose a gas water heater over an electric, as electric hot water systems are pricier to run and are a less environmentally friendly option than gas.

The size of your household, the location of your hot water system and your budget will all influence your decision of a hot water system, be it gas or electric. If you need help with hot water system installation, then call a local plumber in Sydney near you.