There’s nothing better than taking a shower without worrying about running out of hot water. Once upon a time, something like that only existed in dreams, but with the help of tankless water heaters, it’s a reality for a lot of people in the greater Charlotte area!
Should I Install a Gas Tankless Water Heater or an Electric Tankless Water Heater?
Every home and every family is different, which means the answer is different for everyone. However, at Morris-Jenkins, we believe gas tankless water heaters are often the better choice. This is why, when it comes to tankless water heaters, we only install and repair gas tankless water heaters, not electric tankless. If you’re on the fence about which type is best for you personally, let us help you decide with all the info!
Reasons Why a Gas Tankless Water Heater Might Be Better for Your Home
Gas tankless water heaters are one of our favorite inventions! They’re a great way to give your family unlimited hot water, and they come with tons of other perks.
Gas Tankless Water Heaters Cost Less to Run
Not only are you gonna save money by installing a tankless water heater in general (they’re more efficient and don’t waste energy heating water that’s gonna just sit in a tank until you’re ready to use it), but you’re gonna save even more by using gas. Electricity often costs more than natural gas, which means the cost to run an electric tankless water heater will be higher than it would be with gas.
Gas Tankless Water Heaters Have Twice the Ability to Create Hot Water Vs. Electric
Power consumption is calculated in BTU (British Thermal Units). Gas tankless water heaters have twice the ability to create BTU than electric. Basically, this means gas tankless water heaters use their energy source more efficiently than electric.
Gas Tankless Water Heaters Produce Hot Water Faster
The largest electric tankless water heaters create only about 3.3 gallons per minute of hot water at most. This is fine for a 1.5 bath home, but for a larger home, you may wanna consider a gas tankless water heater, which can create up to 11.2 gallons per minute at most.
Electric Tankless Water Heaters Need a High Amount of Amperage vs Gas Tankless Water Heaters
Because gas tankless water heaters don’t rely on electricity to heat your water, they don’t have specific electrical requirements like electric tankless water heaters do. Electric generally needs about 3-40amp double pole (240V) breakers (120am circuit) to make hot water for your family. Most homes have a 100amp to 200amp electric service panel. In simple terms—you might need an electrical panel upgrade.
Electric Tankless Water Heaters Can Cause Electrical Flickering
Because electric tankless water heaters need so much power to run, you might notice the electricity in your home (like your lights) flickering a little bit when hot water is being used a lot in your home. This is more common in older homes with older electrical systems.
Gas Tankless Water Heaters Are More Consistent Than Electric Tankless Water Heaters
Electric tankless water heaters don’t have modern technology to control water flow and temperature. This means they can’t keep temperatures consistent. Some people describe it as a “roller coaster” of temperature and pressure—they can go up or down, especially if you have multiple fixtures using hot water at once. Occasionally, this means it’ll scald or freeze you out of the shower.
Electric Tankless Water Heater Parts Aren’t Always Available
Because gas tankless water heaters are more popular, it’s easier to get parts for them. When it’s harder to find parts for something (such as an electric tankless water heater), repairs can take longer since parts will have to be special ordered. Sometimes, it’s better to just replace the equipment altogether.
Gas Tankless Water Heaters Have Been Around Longer
Tankless water heaters have been around a lot longer than most people assume. In fact, the first gas tankless water heater was created in 1889! And the first electric tankless water heater came years later, in 1929.
Reasons Why an Electric Tankless Water Heater Might Be Better for Your Home
Even though they’re less common, electric tankless water heaters have their place. Depending on what your family is looking for, it might be the right move for you!
Electric Tankless Water Heaters Are Smaller
Because electric tankless water heaters are smaller than gas tankless water heaters, it leaves you more space in your home. Even more space than ever compared to a tank water heater! Whether you keep your water heater in your garage, in a closet, or elsewhere in your home, you’ll have more free space when you choose an electric tankless water heater.
Electric Tankless Water Heaters Themselves Are Cheaper
When it comes to the equipment itself (the actual water heater), electric tankless water heaters are cheaper than gas ones. However, because most homes will need electrical panel upgrades in order to properly run an electric tankless, the final cost may end up being similar (or even more) to that of a gas tankless water heater.
Electric Tankless Water Heaters Don’t Produce Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is produced by gas systems, and because an electric tankless water heater doesn’t use gas, it doesn’t produce carbon monoxide. However, if you have a gas tankless (or are considering installing one), don’t let this scare you. Gas tankless water heaters have safety features to keep your home safe. Or, if you prefer, you could have us install your gas tankless water heater outdoors!
Not sure what carbon monoxide is? It’s a tasteless, odorless, invisible gas that can be deadly in your home. Learn more about it on our blog.
Electric Tankless Water Heaters Don’t Need Vent Systems – You Can Install Them Anywhere in the Home
Because electric tankless water heaters don’t produce carbon monoxide, they don’t need a vent system to the outside of your home. This means you can install an electric tankless water heater virtually anywhere in your home, instead of being limited by where a vent can be installed.
Electric Tankless Water Heaters Are a Great Choice for Supplying Water to One Fixture
If you’re just wanting to get supplemental hot water to one fixture in your house (such as a sink in the garage), an electric tankless water heater is a great choice! The best tankless water heater for a large home is a gas tankless, not electric. Remember: The bigger the house and the more fixtures you need to provide hot water to, the better off you’ll be with a gas tankless water heater.
Get Your Family the Unlimited Hot Water They Deserve
If you’re looking for someone to install or repair a gas tankless water heater, or you just wanna hear about your different water heater options, let us know! Our plumbing team is full of water heater experts who love talking about tank and tankless water heaters. We can help you figure out the best fit for your home, so your family always has the hot water they need when they need it.
