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Gas or Electric? Water Heater Installation in Oceanside, CA

January 3, 2024

If you’re moving into a new home or replacing a worn-out water heater, it’s important to consider your options when choosing your new water heater.

There are two main types of water heaters: those that heat water using natural gas and those that heat water using electricity. Each type of water heater has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Which one is best for you? We want to help you make the most informed decision possible. In this post we’re going to compare gas water heaters and electric heaters.

Gas Water Heaters

Advantages:

  • Lower operating costs. While gas water heaters may be more expensive to install than electric ones, natural gas is often cheaper than electricity, providing more savings in the long run.
  • Faster water heating. Gas water heaters heat water faster than electric water heaters. This also gives them a faster recovery time, providing more hot water in a shorter period of time.
  • Higher capacity. Gas water heaters generally have larger reservoirs than electric ones, which can be important in homes where hot water is in high demand.
  • Gas water heaters can also continue to operate during power outages.

Disadvantages:

  • Installation costs. Gas water heaters can cost more to install due to the need for gas lines and proper venting. Gas water heaters can produce carbon monoxide making proper ventilation a necessity.
  • Maintenance. Gas water heaters have shorter useful lifespans and require more maintenance than electric water heaters.
  • Safety concerns: In addition to carbon monoxide, gas water heaters can also leak gas, creating a fire hazard.

Electric Water Heaters

Advantages:

  • Lower installation costs. Since they don’t require gas lines or special ventilation, electric water heaters are usually cheaper to install than gas water heaters.
  • Energy efficiency. Electric water heaters tend to be more energy efficient than gas heaters, especially older gas water heaters.
  • Lower maintenance costs. Electric water heaters have fewer components than gas water heaters; they tend to last longer and require less maintenance.
  • Safety. Electric water heaters don’t leak flammable natural gas or produce dangerous carbon monoxide.

Disadvantages:

  • Operating costs. Electricity is often more expensive than natural gas, resulting in higher operating costs.
  • Slower heating times. Electric water heaters take longer to heat water and have a slower recovery time than gas water heaters.
  • Limited capacity. Larger electric heaters can be more expensive to purchase and install, since they may require electrical upgrades to support the higher capacity. Electric water heaters are unable to function during electrical power outages.

Water Heater Repairs, Maintenance, and Installation in Oceanside, CA

No matter what type of water heater you purchase, 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration is here to provide professional water heater maintenance, repair installation services. We can even help you select the right water heater for your home, including tankless water heater options. We’ve been serving the Oceanside, CA, community since 2012. Contact us to learn about our water heater installation and maintenance specials.

You can reach 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration through our website or call us at 866-437-0205.