Comparing Gas and Electric Water Heaters for Residents of Jasper, Leopold, & St. Anthony

While gas and electric water heaters are no longer your only two choices, they remain the most popular throughout Southern Indiana.

At Messmer Mechanical, we get asked all the time:  “Which is better?”  Like most things in life, there are pros and cons for each variety.  So we we’ve prepared this blog to help you learn a little bit more about gas and electric water heaters along with their primary advantages and disadvantages.

Gas Vs. Electric Water Heaters

Gas Water Heaters
As the name suggests, gas heaters primarily use natural gas to heat water. A small chamber filled with water is heated with the help of burning natural gas or liquid petroleum gas. Gas water heaters have been used for a long time, even before the invention of electrical appliances.

Advantages of Natural Gas

1. Quick recovery.  Gas water heaters recover twice as fast as electric units. 

2. Lower operating costs.  Typically costs less to operate than an electric storage tank model.

3. Safety.  Natural gas water heaters have an excellent safety record, especially when properly maintained.

4. Minimal environmental impact.  Of all the fossil fuels, gas burns the most efficiently.

Electric Water Heaters
Electric water heaters have become very common due to the convenience that they offer. The principle of heating is simple and is used commonly throughout the world. A copper coil is used to transform electricity onto heat energy for the purpose. Several modifications have been made to this design over the course of time. However, the basic principle remains the same.

Advantages of Electric

1. Lower initial purchase cost.  Electric water heaters cost up to $700 less to purchase.

2. Lower installation cost.

3. Longer lifespan.  Natural gas water heaters have built-in corrosive elements that typically shorten their lifespan when compared to electric water heaters.

4. No greenhouse emissions.  Electrical water heaters are more environmentally friendly than gas.

5. Greater accessibility. Electric water heaters can be installed in any home with electricity.  Natural gas, on the other hand, in not readily available in all residential areas, if available at all.

As you can see, the advantages and disadvantages of both types of water heaters tend to balance each other out.  Which means that very often, the ultimate choice comes down to gas availability, prior experience, and personal preference.

If you’d like some unbiased professional input before buying your next water heater, contact the hot water heater specialists at Messmer Mechanical today.  We’ll help you choose what’s best for your home, hot water needs, and your budget…guaranteed.

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