Natural Gas vs Electric Water Heaters in Anchorage & Mat-Su Valley

Chances are, you turn on your shower, sink, or dishwasher every day without any thought as to where the hot water comes from. The water heater is working behind-the-scenes to give you the hot water you need to cook, clean, and get through your day. You may not realize, but there are actually two main different types of water heaters available – gas and electric. Today, we are going to discuss these two different types of water heaters. You may be surprised to find that there are actually quite a few differences when it comes to upfront costs, energy efficiency and even performance.

Upfront costs.

While it may be tempting to keep using the hot water heater you currently have, realize that upgrading may pay off in a short while through improved efficiency. Electric heaters are usually less expensive to purchase and less expensive to install. However, if you already have a home fit into for a gas water heater part of this cost may be nonexistent. In addition, different size tanks will have a different upfront cost. Spending more for a larger tank may not be necessary if you have a smaller family.

Cost to operate in Anchorage & Mat-Su

While the upfront cost to install a water heater are usually lower for an electric system, a gas heater will usually cost less to run over the long haul. However, realize that this will vary from location to location. One of the best ways to determine if the case in your area is to contact your local utility company and get information from them. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Make sure you are comparing the costs to operate a 60-gallon gas water heater versus a 60-gallon electric water heater, for instance.  

Performance

Electric water heaters are usually a little easier to maintain than natural gas water heaters. However, one concern with electric water heaters is that they will not perform if you are without electricity–something of top concern during a long, hard winter. Despite these small differences, realize that both types of water heater will usually do the job, you just have to figure out which one is right for your current needs.

If you’d like more information about installing, upgrading or maintaining your water heater, reach out to us at KLEBS Heating today. We’d love to help you find the best possible hot water solution for your household or business. Our experts look forward to hearing from you!