A water heater is a vital element of any household, without which one cannot do the most basic tasks. The average lifespan of a water heater is 8 years to 15 years, which means you will have to consider buying a new one once in your lifetime.
There are different types of water heaters, but the two most common ones are an electric water heater and a gas water heater. Because your water heater makes up a considerable amount of your utility bill, it is essential to get one with the lowest operating cost.
You can compare the best 50-gallon gas water heater with the best 50-gallon electric water heaters, and see which one has a higher water heater operating cost. In this blog, to help you out, we will discuss the operating costs of a gas water heater and an electric water heater so you can make your decision.
Water Heater Operating Cost
Water heater operating costs can vary according to the region you live in, the cost of electricity and water in the region you live in, the amount of water you use, and how big your house is. Regardless of these factors, generally, an electric water heater is considered more expensive in the long run as compared to gas water heaters.
It is cheaper to buy, install and maintain an electric water heater as compared to a gas water heater; however, the cost of electricity per unit is more than the cost of natural gas per unit. Hence, the electric water heater proves to be the costlier option in the long term.
On average, a gas water heater’s operating cost is $33 per month, while an electric water heater’s operating cost is $42.
However, a gas water heater is less expensive only if gas is readily available to you and you have a gas line in your home. Otherwise, installing a gas line, in addition to the other expenses, can be expensive, and it will take a much longer time for cost-savings to occur.
Another thing to note is that while an electric water heater is more expensive in the long run, it is actually more energy-efficient. This is because a gas water heater does not use all the gas. An electric water heater uses up all of the energy it receives. These are also better for the environment than gas water heaters despite their higher water heater operating cost.
Final Thoughts
You can calculate your water heater’s energy cost per unit by using the Energy.Gov calculator for both electric and gas water heaters.
Once you calculate the costs, you can choose a water heater based on your needs.
Additional Reading
- Gas water heater cost per month?
- How much does it cost to run a 50 gallon gas water heater?
