Well, it’s hard to decide which one is better. In my personal experience with people trying to decide, I can say that some people prefer gas water heaters and others prefer electric ones for their reasons, but understanding the differences between both as well as their pros and cons definitely help them decide which one is the best for their circumstances.

Let’s begin talking about water heating. This is a process where heat is transferred from a  gas or electric appliance to increase the temperature of the liquid, thus, producing a nice and warm/hot bath. In some places where there’s almost always cold extreme weather, heaters are an absolute necessity, because the temperature is so low that bathing as it is might be even dangerous. Even space heaters are used to maintain a reasonable temperature inside a room.

As mentioned in this article, back in the day people used to heat liquids by using fire with pots, coppers, cauldrons and other tools. Metal is a pretty good heat conductor so it worked perfectly, but it took time to heat, so as time passed, people started to desire something more convenient.

That’s when appliances such as water heaters and hot water tanks were created, and they were capable of providing a continual supply of hot water. Nowadays the most standard heaters used are gas-fueled and electrical ones. Let’s talk a little about how they work.

Gas-Fueled Heater: Pros and Cons

The first thing you need to know about this type of heater is that the installation process can be rather complicated, and way more expensive than an electric one. This happens because the appliance is quite large and intricated, and would most certainly require the help of a professional.

It may be more expensive to buy and install, but the price of natural gas as a fuel is a lot less expensive than electricity, making them cheaper to use on an everyday basis. You could consider a gas-fueled heater as a long-term investment, and if you are planning to use them for a long time, multiple times, it is definitely your best option.

Thing is, even with proper maintenance, a gas heater may last from 10 to 20 years, a shorter lifespan than that of an electric heater. You should try to perform maintenance to them at least once a year to ensure its well functioning and a longer lifetime.

To know more about how Gas-fueled heaters work, you should visit:  https://www.thespruce.com/anatomy-of-a-gas-water-heater-1824894

Electric-Fueled Heater: Pros and Cons.

In contrast to gas heaters, electric-fueled heaters are way more comfortable and easy to install, and their price is much more affordable. Even the most complicated models of electric heaters can be installed by yourself, so you won’t need to hire a professional to help you during the installation process.

As we mentioned earlier, these models are much more affordable initially, since they are cheaper and installing them is easier, but as a long-term investment, it might not be as worth it, considering that electricity bills are more harmful to the pocket than gas bills.

An electric heater might last from 20 to 30 years, making them more durable, and the maintenance is much simpler, only requiring a professional on rare occasions with complicate problems. Most of the time, you’ll be able to do it yourself. Still, even if its an electric or gas hot water tank, you have to make preparations as well. Thankfully, electric models tend to require much less space, so not intricate preparations are needed, yet, you should look for a model that suits your place and what you are looking for.

In Conclusion

A golden rule for whenever you are about to buy something is to have a clear idea in mind of what you are looking for, and what you might prefer between multiple options. Now, talking about both types of heaters, we can come to this conclusion: One is better for long-term use, although the initial investment is much more expensive, while the other is better for the short-term use since the initial investment is much more affordable, yet the expenses increase as time passes by.

With that said, there are other few things you might want to know before making the decision based on whether you prefer something for the short-term or the long-term.

If you live with children or you just want safety too, a gas-fueled heater is usually considered more dangerous than electric ones, because it’s not rare to get some burns while using them. Gas usually heats water much faster than electricity. And gas appliances tend to have longer warranties, but that’s because they are more expensive.

Now that you know this, you can make the decision. As a personal recommendation, I’d say you should consider your plans before deciding. For example, are you planning to move away a couple of years after purchasing the heater? Go for an electric model. Are you looking to settle in the place you decided on? Go for a gas model.

Of course, there are other alternatives to both methods of heating water. A solar-fueled electric heater is a really good example. Some people might even consider using a wood-fueled heater, just like the old times. If you are interested in looking at some alternative methods of heating water, you should check alternative heating sources over here. Now, after you’ve decided what you want, I’d recommend you to check models online with testimonials and reviews, to know which models are good, and which ones don’t suit your tastes.