Gas Heater vs. Electric Water Heater, With Which One Can You Save More?

After the summer, autumn arrives, and the first blows of cold, rain, and wind. It’s time to change the wardrobe, turn off the air conditioners, pick up the fans to make way for warmer clothes, start the boilers, and bleed the radiators, among many other things.

At the same time, it is the ideal time to make the necessary reforms at home to prepare the house for winter. And, in this sense, many people wonder what compensates more: the gas heater or the electric water heater. Next, we resolve all doubts.

How Gas Heaters And Electric Water Heaters Work

Both gas heaters and electric water heaters are used to heat water. However, the fundamental difference between the two is how they do it. In the case of gas heaters, the water is heated as needed. Through a series of gas burners, and after a minute or two, we can have unlimited hot water, although it will have to be regulated depending on the temperature to be reached.

In the case of electric water heaters, we have a water tank where the water is heated, and its temperature is maintained, ready to use. These tanks can have various capacities, from 30 to 300 liters, which will be necessary depending on the type of home and the number of users who will use it. The water is heated using electrical resistance, and when it reaches a certain temperature, the resistance turns off, and the insulator is in charge of maintaining the hot water fairly stable.

The fundamental difference between the two is the energy they need to get going. In the case of gas heaters, they use gas as an energy system, while thermos needs electricity to heat the water.

Gas Heaters Or Electric Water Heaters, Which Is Better For Me?

Each of these devices is ideal for different uses. Thus, the gas heater is usually interesting for large consumption, generally for domestic use, for two reasons:

• On the one hand, gas is usually cheaper than electricity.
• On the other hand, the water is heated unlimited and on demand. It is not necessary to refill the deposit.

The electric thermos is ideal for small consumption because the water that can be heated is limited. They are generally easier to install than gas boilers and are low maintenance. For this reason, it is frequently used in locker rooms of gyms and sports facilities since the purchase price and subsequent installation and maintenance are much more affordable.

So, With Which One Can You Save More? Aspects To Take Into Account

As we have seen, the difference between one device and another depends on the use that is going to be made of it. The price of natural gas ranges between 0.045 and 0.0615 €/kWH, while the price of electricity is between 0.12 and 0.13 €/kWh. If we look only at this factor, and the use is domestic for the habitual residence, it is advisable to use a gas heater in the long term. However, electric water heaters can be interesting for those households that do not have a nearby gas network or live in rural areas.

However, it must be taken into account that if the installation to heat the water is new or is going to be renovated, it will be cheaper in the case of electric water heaters. The price of an 80-liter thermos, which is the minimum capacity for two people, is around €150, depending on the model and brand, and is higher if you need more capacity.

For their part, gas heaters are more expensive since their price is between €259 and €289, to which the installation cost must be added, which far exceeds the installation of the electric water heater. To all this must be added the cost of periodic inspections of the boiler, which are non-existent in the case of electric water heaters.

In any case, savings should not be the only factor to consider. If you want to heat the water in the house in which you live, you will probably be interested in a gas heater, especially if several people will be using the hot water. The water comes out immediately as it is needed and does not require any prior human intervention.

An electric water heater may be more interesting if it is used to heat a second home in the town or on the beach. Unlike gas heaters, where there is a fixed section that depends on the marketing company, electric water heaters do not pay anything if you do not use them. Filling the tank is simple and does not require complex installation.

Finally, another important factor when comparing the two systems for the production of hot water, such as gas heaters and electric water heaters, must also consider both their energy efficiency and consumption. It is important to choose an A+++ electric water heater to ensure they are as energy efficient as possible.