What Kind of Water Heater Do You Need?


Gas vs. electric, tank or tankless; These are the options most homeowners have when choosing a new water heater.  Knowing what kind of water heater will suit you the best can help you save money in the long run.

Here are some key differences in the options for water heaters.

Gas vs. electric

The first decision you’ll face when buying a new water heater is the type of fuel source you’ll rely on to heat the water, including for bathing, dishwashing, and for the sinks around your home. Here are the pros and cons of each:

  • Gas or propane water heaters are more energy efficient but generally, cost more to install. Because of the use of flammable gas, these heaters need to have air circulation around the area in which they’re installed to avoid hazards.
  • Electric water heaters are of a comparable strength and size for the most part, but they tend to be less energy efficient than their gas or propane-powered counterparts.

Once you’ve decided on the fuel that best fits your home’s needs, you can move on to the second major decision.

Storage vs. tankless

Tankless water heaters, also called “on-demand” heaters, are becoming the popular option for more and more families. They are energy efficient, as they don’t have to constantly heat a storage (or tank) of water like traditional water heaters do.

What are the main differences between storage vs tankless?

  • Energy efficiency: According to Energy.gov, “For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand (or tankless) water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.”
  • Tankless water heaters are more expensive to install, but most users report making that money back over a few years in decreased utility bills.

For additional information on water heater installation services, call our team at 844-216-9300 and speak with a technician today.