Gas Hot Water or Electric Hot Water?
Gas hot water systems are one of the most efficient and economical water heating systems you can install in your home. They’re often compared to electric hot water systems, and the two obviously do the same job. But there can be big differences between choosing gas or electricity to heat your water. Some of the differences lie in how and when the water is heated and the impact the heating has on our environment.
Why gas hot water?
Steaming water whenever you need it is exactly what you get with gas hot water. Some of the benefits of using gas for water heating are that it only heats water when you need it, so water is not sitting in a tank all day long being kept warm. Using gas helps to lower our carbon footprint as gas is a cleaner energy, therefore better for our environment. Gas is also cheaper than electricity and especially good if natural gas is available to your home.
Why electric hot water?
Water that is heated through an electric hot water system is one of the most expensive to run and also the most damaging to our environment. Electric systems can provide hot water at any time of the day or night. However, the electricity required to heat the water may not be available and certainly doesn’t cost the same rate all day and night. Using off-peak electricity does make this system less expensive, however, and most electricity providers offer a choice of tariffs to suit your needs and budget.
How to choose between gas and electric
Key factors to consider when choosing between gas hot water and electric hot water include:
– The number of people in your home that will use the hot water
– How much hot water you expect to use
– When you will need the greatest amount of hot water
– What your hot water will be used for, such as showers, baths, dishwashing and laundry.
Gas hot water is a much better option for a busy household, having cheaper running costs, providing a good output of hot water, and being better for our environment. There are, however, instances where the only option for your home is electricity. In these cases, making sure the electric hot water system is tailored to the home’s specific needs will improve its efficiency.
