Gas Vs Electric Hot Water Heater Efficiency

Electric water heaters require less space.

Gas vs electric hot water heater efficiency.

All this can offset the higher cost of electric power to some extent. Unlike electric heaters gas water heaters can be dangerous to operate in small spaces that allow gas to build up. 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. Most gas fired water heaters have an energy factor ef number set by the u s.

Electric water heaters are not only efficient but also don t have any fuel that could leak or explode. On the other hand. In comparison gas heaters usually have between 80 and 85 percent. Electric water heaters particularly electric heat pump water heaters can have higher ef ratings than gas water heaters.

Standard gas water heaters have an ef of about 50 to 60. 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. Department of energy to help consumers compare the efficiency of similar appliances. Electric water heaters tend to have at least 98 thermal efficiency many are 99 percent or more.

You ll find both gas and electric models. Energy efficiency while gas hot water heaters cost less to run due to the lower cost of natural gas electric heaters are actually more efficient. The bigger the ef number the more efficient the appliance. This is due to the way that the heaters operate.

Similarly electric heaters can have higher energy factor ratings than gas heaters.