The Benefits of an Electric Water Heater

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Posted January 17, 2025

Heating water in your home accounts for around 18% of your household’s energy usage. That is why choosing the right water heater for your home is so important. If your home needs a new water heater, you may want to consider an electric water heater. This is a great option, depending on your home and needs.

There are a variety of tankless water heater options on the market. It is essential to do your research to understand which option is the best fit for your home. Keep reading to discover the benefits of an electric water heater.

What Are Electric Water Heaters?

You may not know exactly what an electric water heater is. It may have been an option when you searched for plumbers near me. An electric water heater is an appliance that uses electricity to heat the water in your home. This appliance generates heat from electricity, dispersing hot water to the home’s faucets.

This appliance could have a water tank or be tankless. It is able to do this by using high-voltage electric rods in the tank. These run vertically, helping to heat the water inside. These heaters are a very common option among homeowners. They are easy to install by a professional plumber and are considered easy to maintain.

Electric vs. Gas Water Heaters

One comparison that is often made is gas versus electric water heaters. Both types of water heaters can be used in your home. We have already discussed what an electric water heater is. Regarding a gas water heater, this heater does not use electricity in your home.

Instead, the water is heated from a gas-fired burner at the bottom of the tank. The water is heated from the bottom up and is discharged through the tube throughout your home. Because of this, you will need gas coming to your home to supply this water heater. This is part of why some people choose an electric water heater if they don’t have access to gas.

There are also some safety concerns when it comes to heating your home’s water with gas. These water heaters are also known for becoming dirtier and needing more maintenance. Which option you ultimately choose will depend on what your home needs. Both have their own pros and cons, so there is no clear answer about which one is best. However, for most American homes, electric water heaters are preferred.

Electric Water Heater Advantages

Now that you know what an electric water heater is, what are the benefits? This is an important aspect to consider before you make any decisions.

This is a big investment for your home, so you want to understand everything about what this heater does. Here are examples of the advantages of an electric water heater.

Lower Upfront Cost

A big benefit of these water heaters is a lower upfront cost. Compared to other water heater models, they aren’t as big of an initial investment. This is why people with a tighter budget may prefer this option. If your water heater stops working, this would be the most affordable model to install. It is also important that this does not necessarily mean it is poor quality. Electric water heaters may be cheaper, but they are still considered to be a great investment.

Long Lifespan

Another benefit of these heaters is their lifespan. The average heater could last as long as 12 to 15 years, running daily to heat your home’s water. This is a big deal, considering gas-powered heaters only last 8 to 12 years. Because of this, you are getting more out of a smaller investment as gas heaters are more expensive. You can hire a plumber to install this water heater as soon as needed. And you don’t have to worry about needing to replace it for many years to come.

Common Power Source

A benefit of electric water heaters is their power source. Electricity is one of the more common utilities in American homes. Most people have this available, making it a perfect water heating option. This is very different from a gas water heater.

Plenty of people do not have access to gas in their homes. If your home does not already have an existing gas line, it is costly to have one installed. If you need to replace your water heater, an electric option is best. You won’t have to make any changes to your home as it will use the power source that’s already there.

Flexibility

Something else you should consider is the flexibility of electric water heaters. These heaters are very common and come in a variety of sizes and models. You can always look up HVAC repair near me for a company that also offers plumbing services. They will be able to give you a list of your options and help you decide.

This is perfect if you have a small space for your water heater. You may need to get a smaller model so that it can go where your old water heater went. The same cannot be said for gas water heaters, as they are usually bulkier. This makes them harder to fit into tight spaces without making changes to your home.

Easy Operations

If you are looking up electrical repair near me, you may need a new water tank heater. Many air conditioner, furnace, and AC repair companies provide this option. Hiller is one example of this, as it provides water heater repair and installation.

You can hire an emergency plumber if your water heater isn’t working. They can help you make a decision and install the new water heater. If you choose an electric water heater, it is considered to be very user-friendly.

Once installed, you do not need to worry about these heaters when they are doing their job. All you need to do is adjust the heat and let it do its thing. These water heaters run cleaner than gas heaters, so they don’t need to be cleaned or maintained as often.

Energy-Efficient

A big part of choosing a water heater includes looking at the efficiency. You want to select a water heater that is energy efficient to get the most out of this investment.

Electric-powered water heaters are very energy efficient since no energy is wasted. The way the water is heated ensures that the heat is only used for the water your home needs. This means you won’t have to worry about paying for electricity that is going to waste. This is different from gas heaters, where some heat is often dispersed into the air.

These issues may not seem very significant when you first look at them. However, inefficient operations can add up and start to increase your power bill each month.

Safety

If you are looking up AC repair near me or AC service companies, you may also need plumbing services. A plumber can help to install a new water heater when you need it safely. One aspect you need to consider is how safe that water heater is. Even with our modern-day water heater models, some are still not as safe as others.

When it comes to a gas heater, there are risks of gas leaks and fire hazards. This is why electric water heaters are considered to be safer for your home. They are not gas-powered, eliminating these risks. They are also cleaner, not emitting any gases that pollute the surrounding air.

You even have options for using cleaner electricity sources. Some examples of this include wind-powered electricity or solar-powered electricity. This means that electric water heaters can also be an eco-friendly option.

Electric Water Heater Disadvantages

Whether the issue is a clogged toilet, heating repair, or water heater installation, you need to do your research. Anytime you invest in your home, you need to weigh the pros and cons. There are many benefits to having an electric water heater installed. But there are also a few downsides you should consider.

Low Recovery Time

You can hire an air conditioning service or HVAC replacement company like Hiller. They offer an electrician service that includes installing electric water heaters.

One downside to these water heaters is a low recovery time. These water heaters take longer to heat the water than the gas heaters. This is because electricity generates heat at a slower rate than gas does. Because of this, you should expect to wait a bit longer each time you want hot water.

Using hot water may also take longer for more water to be generated. For example, if multiple family members are taking a shower, you may need to wait for more water.

Power Issues

Electric water heaters are a great smart home installation option. But there are downsides to relying on electricity. If there are power outages in your area, this will affect your water heater. If no electricity is supplied, it will not be able to create any hot water for your home. This is something to remember if you live in an area with frequent power outages.

Higher Costs

Even though the initial investment for this water heater is lower, there are other costs. You will still have to pay monthly for the electricity used.

These water heaters are efficient, so you aren’t paying for wasted electricity. But gas is one of the cheapest energy sources, making monthly fees more affordable.

Should All Homes Use Electric Heaters?

You may consider an electric one if you need a new water heater. This is a great option as it is efficient and eco-friendly when compared to gas heaters. Now that you know more about electric water heaters, you may wonder if it suits everyone. This is a very popular option that most people prefer. But that does not mean it will be perfect for every household. For instance, you may have a very intense demand for hot water.

If you have a large family, an electric water heater may struggle to supply enough water. Or, if you live in an area with power outages, you may often be left without hot water. These are just a few things to consider before you make this investment.

Why Hire Hiller for Water Heater Installation?

If your water heater has broken down, you need to replace it quickly. HVAC service companies like Hiller can handle this for you. This company provides services like circuit breaker panel replacement. As well as frozen pipe repair and AC services.

But it also provides water heater repair and installation. You can easily schedule an appointment online depending on your water heater needs. Do you need to hire a plumber for your water heater installation? Contact us at Hiller to schedule a water heater appointment.

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