Department of energy to help consumers compare the efficiency of similar appliances.
Gas vs electric water heater calculator.
Average daily usage gallons per day gallons.
Typically a 70ºf 39ºc water temperature rise is possible at a flow rate of 5 gallons per minute through gas fired demand water heaters and 2 gallons per minute through electric ones.
Gas water heaters typically cost about 30 a month to run while electric water heaters run closer to 42 a month depending on utility rates.
Standard gas water heaters have an ef of about 50 to 60.
A gas or electric water heater s energy factor ef is a measurement that compares the amount of hot water the heater produces per day to the amount of fuel it consumes.
64 energy factor 0 92 electric 0 61 gas energy cost 0 06 per kwh 60 per therm.
After analyzing gas vs.
The higher the ef number.
You ll find both gas and electric models.
Figuring out the annual operating cost of a water heater involves consideration of the heater s efficiency and the cost of the fuel needed to run it.
Electric water heater operation costs.
Electric water heater operating costs bluejay says that gas is almost always cheaper than electric assuming that you already have natural gas piped into your home.
This makes the total cost for a 40 gallon electric hot water heater between 1000 and 1 700 with the total costs of a 40 gallon gas hot water heater between 1 400 and 2 800.
Quantity of water heaters to be purchased unit s 1 unit see assumptions for various daily water use totals.
This app will help you decide which water heater to buy.
I wrote a really detailed article reviewing the best gas tankless water heaters for different sized households that you should read by clicking here.
On the other hand.
Most gas fired water heaters have an energy factor ef number set by the u s.
It allows comparison between your existing water heater and any number of electric or gas tanked or tankless water heaters.
It includes the cost of purchase and installation the cost of operation and factors in things like the lifetime of the heater.
Water heater cost calculator.
A gas water heater uses the heat from burning a fuel usually natural gas to heat water while an electric water heater uses electric resistance coils.
Since i live in boston i should be looking at a gas tankless water heater since they work best in cold climates.
Faster flow rates or cooler inlet temperatures can sometimes reduce the water temperature at the most distant faucet.
Gas water heaters are less energy efficient than electric heaters but the cost of electricity itself makes the running costs of an electric heater higher.
Maintenance both gas and electric water heaters are fairly easy to maintain.