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In the past few decades, electric water heaters have become a popular option for homeowners who want to save money on their monthly utility bills. However, if you’re thinking about installing an electric water heater in your home, it’s important to understand both its pros and cons before making your decision.
The list of pros is too long to detail, but we’ve narrowed down the most important ones.
Electric water heaters work with the electricity already present in your home. With a professional installation from the experts at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning, & Electric, you can be sure that your safety is the top priority. Beyond that, there are no gas lines and, therefore, no risk of leaks.
Electric water heaters are less expensive than gas units. This is because they require no piping for ventilation or exhaust, which can be costly to install. But it depends on the size and model you choose. A tankless water heater, for example, will cost more than a traditional electric tank.
Your home or business is already set up on the national power grid, making it easy to install an electric water heater and start using it right away. Gas lines may not be as readily available, and the cost for installation would be more expensive than simply purchasing an electric water heater.
Furthermore, gas-powered heaters require venting and fuel lines that must run into your home’s walls and flooring before they can be installed. Electric water heaters require no venting or fuel lines since they generate electricity directly from your home’s electrical system, making them easy to install in almost any location.
Electric water heaters are more efficient than gas. Why is that? Because electric water heaters do not require the venting systems as gas water heaters do. Energy is lost through the exhaust process, making electric water heaters much more efficient. The energy efficiency level will depend on the model of the electric water heater, but most have an EF value of .9 or higher. A tankless water heater is one of the most efficient types of an electric water heater.
Despite the long list of pros, electric water heaters do come with some big drawbacks.
Have you ever hopped in the shower only to discover the water is luke warm? This is a drawback for electric water heaters. It takes some time for the tank to get back up to full pressure and temperature once the water heater has been emptied. The size of your tank and incoming cold water temperature both affect how long it takes for an electric water heater to reach full capacity after being turned on or off.
If there is a power outage, the electric water heater won’t work. You can’t use the hot water until you have power again. This is an important consideration here in South Florida when the weather can sometimes disrupt power services for undetermined amounts of time.
Electric water heaters are more expensive to operate than gas units over time. Electricity prices are higher than gas prices, and the price of electricity does fluctuate, meaning you’ll pay more over time with an electric water heater.
If you’re planning to buy an electric water heater, Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning, & Electric provides the repair service, maintenance, and installation you’ll need. We’ve been serving the Boca Raton communities since 1983. We carry energy-efficient and warrantied water heaters for all your commercial and residential needs. When you’re ready to get started, reach out to us online or give us a call at 561-391-1048.
