Gas Water Heaters – The Pros and Cons
As with any other appliance, gas-powered water heaters come with a list of pros and cons. Let’s break them down: Gas Water Heater Pros- Faster heating than electric models
- Lower energy costs (potentially)
- Sometimes work during blackouts
- Higher up-front cost (installation and hardware)
- Shorter lifespan
- More complicated installation
- Installation is impossible in homes not equipped with natural gas or propane.
Electric Water Heaters – The Pros and Cons
Like gas water heaters, electric water heaters come with a list of pros and cons. Those mentioned pros and cons are: Advantages of Electric Water Heaters- Lower up-front costs (installation and hardware)
- Safe to operate
- Installation is possible in almost any home
- Slower heating time than their gas-powered counterparts
- Will fail during power outages (always)
- High operating costs (compared to gas water heaters)
The Pros and Cons of Heat Pump Water Heaters
Heat pump water heaters are somewhat unique. Unlike gas or electric heaters, they don’t generate any heat themselves. Instead, they use the heat provided by your HVAC system’s heat pump to heat water. These water heaters work best in homes and businesses that regularly use their heat pump. If you live somewhere warm or have a heat pump, then a heat pump water heater isn’t for you. That said, heat pump water heaters have their pros and cons, including: Advantages of Heat Pump Water Heaters- High energy efficiency ratings
- They’re safer to use than any other type of water heater
- Heat pump water heaters are more environmentally friendly than different types of water heaters
- High installation and operation cost
- They don’t heat water as much as other varieties of heaters
- They take up a large amount of space