Gas Vs. Electric Water Heaters

Are you planning to replace your existing water heater? The first thing that shall pop up in your mind is, water heaters, gas or electric? Here are a few advantages and disadvantages of both the types of heaters, which will help you to decide which one suits you better.

Gas Water Heaters
As the name suggests, gas heaters primarily use natural gas to heat water. A small chamber filled with water, is heated with the help of burning natural gas or liquid petroleum gas. Some rural places in countries like India, where organic waste is abundant, biogas (methane gas released during the decomposition of organic waste) is used to heat the water. Gas water heaters have been used for quite a long time. In fact, these heaters were used even before the invention of electrical appliances.

1. Advantages
The gas water heater was prominently used, even in the times before electronic appliances came into vogue. Even today, many sophisticated natural gas water heaters are being used by many people. The basic advantage of these water heaters is that, the heating that takes place is gradual and is hence there is energy conservation. If you are use the hot water immediately, then you are successful in saving a huge amount of heat energy. Another very good advantage of many of the modern gas water heaters is that, the user is able to control the rate of heating and also the extent of heating.

Biogas is a highly effective source of energy for heating purposes, as it is generated by decomposing organic waste and comparatively produces only a small amount carbon dioxide. It is ideal for heating water, as it contributes a lot to energy-saving.

2. Disadvantages
Gas water heaters result in a considerable amount of pollution, as a reasonable amount of carbon monoxide is released in the air while burning the natural gas. In addition to the pollution, the operational cost of these heaters is getting higher day by day, owing to the energy crisis and increasing gas prices. The heater is also pretty bulky and occupies a considerable space, if placed in the bathroom. If you have installed the heater in a house or bungalow with multiple bathrooms, then the piping and related mechanism also adds to the installation cost.

In case of gas heaters operated by biogas, the installation cost of the decomposer is very high, and also requires a lot of space.

Electric Water Heaters
Electric water heaters have become very common due to the convenience that they offer. The principle of heating is simple and is used commonly throughout the world. A copper coil is used to transform electricity onto heat energy for the purpose. Several modifications have been made to this design over the course of time. However, the basic principle remains the same.

1. Advantages
The basic advantage of electric water heaters, is that the speed of heating is extremely fast. The extent of heating or the highest possible temperature can also be easily achieved with the help of electric water heaters. These types of water heaters also offer excellent performances in the conservation of energy and environment.

2. Disadvantages
As most kinds of electricity production contributes to air pollution (through the burning of fossil fuels), electric water heaters can be said to indirectly contribute to pollution. The only technical drawback is that, there is a small possibility of a short-circuit, which can be dangerous to the user.

In the debate of gas vs. electric heaters, both types of heaters have almost the same amount of advantages and disadvantages. Even though water heater electric ratings, suggest that electric heater is more efficient and applicable, considering issues such as the energy crisis and the environmental pollution, it is high time that we shifted over to heaters run on biogas.