Hot Water Systems
THE PROS
- It is easy to use
The electric hot water heater is generally simpler to use than a gas powered heater. The reason is that the equipment runs simply on electrical power so you do not have to worry about turning the gas on to start its water heating operation.
- It has a compact design
Since they run purely on electricity, electric water heaters are more compact if compared to gas water heaters of the same capacity. In addition, you will have more options where to install your hot water since they do not require venting for exhaust. Their compact design makes them ideal for small homes.
- It costs cheaper to install
Due to the fact that electric water heaters do not require venting, their installation process is a lot easier than gas powered ones. Installing gas water heaters usually requires you to install a new ventilation system as existing ones may not be adequate due to its high rate of gas consumption.
THE CONS
- It will cost more money in the long run
While the initial installation cost of an electric water heater is lower than their gas-powered counterparts, the operational costs of running an electric heater are generally more expensive in the long run. The reason for this is very simple – the cost of electricity is usually more expensive compared to gas.
- It depends on electricity
Just like any other electronic devices such as your TV and smartphones, electric water heaters need electricity to function. Thus, when there’s a power outage, you cannot use it.
- It has longer recovery rate
In contrast with gas-powered heaters, the recovery rate for the electric water heaters is lower, which means that if a household has a high peak usage, the amount of hot water generated by an electric heater may not suffice to cover the household’s needs.