Propane vs. Electric: Which Water Heater Is Right for Your Home
When it’s time to upgrade your home water heater or select the first water heater for a new home, one of the first questions you’ll need to answer is fuel source: Do you want a gas water heater fueled by propane or an electric water heater running off your normal electrical system? These systems work similarly to gas and electric ovens: an open flame burning gas beneath the storage tank versus an electric heating element at the base of the storage tank.
While both systems will deliver hot water when you need it reliably, and both technologies have improved in efficiency as time has passed, they nonetheless offer substantial differences in upfront costs, service life expectancy, energy efficiency, energy costs, and other factors that we’ll discuss below.
Which Is More Energy-Efficient?
In terms of pure energy efficiency, electric systems are almost universally more efficient at converting fuel to heat than propane systems. In terms of the commonly used AFUE rating, all-electric furnaces achieve 100% because all of the energy becomes heat, and even more conservative approaches to estimating efficiency exceed 99%. The most astoundingly efficient propane models, which are often hybrid models of some kind, don’t reach 99%.
To understand better, consider that there are actually several factors in how energy-efficient a system might be in practice:
- System ability to convert energy to heat without losing any fuel to leaks (the AFUE rating)
- Ability to apply heat to water without wasting it
- Ability to maintain water temperature with less heat applied
For these reasons, individual electric or propane water heaters might be more efficient despite the rating advantage electric systems have. This also doesn’t account for the relative difference in costs of fuel, installation, and operation.
Which Heats Water Faster?
Propane water heaters almost universally heat faster than electric water heaters. Gas systems can produce much more heat on demand than your typical heating element, meaning that a propane system might recover from a tank full of ice-cold water to readiness for a piping hot shower in half the time or less.
If you’re not going for a massively oversized system for your water needs, this can be a substantial improvement in household comfort and convenience, meaning people won’t need to wait an hour between baths, showers, loads of laundry, etc.
What Are the Costs of Propane & Electric Water Heaters?
The cost of heating a tank of water and keeping it warm is only one part of water heater expenses. You should consider:
- Fuel prices
- Energy efficiency
- System lifespan
- Repair costs
- Maintenance costs
- Secondary costs
Electric water heaters tend to cost by every metric but fuel over time. They last longer before being replaced, require fewer repairs over a service life, cost less to install if you don’t already have gas piping in place, and have fewer secondary considerations, such as carbon monoxide detection, vent cleaning, etc., to handle.
However, propane can cost far less when measured by heat produced, depending on the prices you’re paying for propane versus electricity. This can make up for much of the difference between the two. Often, this and your personal valuation of heating speed will have the strongest influence on what makes sense for your home water heater.
Why Choose Us?
If you need a new water heater in the Tuxedo Park area, let the experienced team at SOS Xtreme Comfort deliver the technical expertise, honest and friendly customer service, and reliable, high-quality products matched to your needs necessary to maximize your comfort and convenience.
We take special care with every installation service, which, combined with our routine maintenance services, can ensure the most efficient, comfortable home possible in the years ahead regardless of whether you choose a propane or electric water heater.
If you’re ready to learn more about your options for a new water heater or want to request a quote for installation as soon as possible, contact SOS Xtreme Comfort now and speak with a member of our team.