What is more efficient gas or electric hot water heater?
Efficiency. If you are comparing the efficiency of an electric water heater vs a gas unit, electric heaters are more efficient. Although gas hot water heaters are less expensive to run monthly due to the low cost of natural gas—a gas heater uses more energy to operate and releases waste into the environment.
How much does it cost to run a 50 gallon electric water heater?
According to the Department of Energy, based on the assumption that an electric water heater runs for an average of about three hours per day, a 50-gallon water heater, running at 5,500 watts, with an electricity rate of $0.16 per kWh, will have an annual operation cost of $781.
How much does it cost to run a gas water heater for a month?
Typically, a hot water heater that uses a tank will run for three to five hours per day. So, a 4,000-watt heater used for three hours a day at $. 10 per kWh will cost $1.20 per day, about $36.50 per month, or $438 per year.
What is the cheapest way to heat water?
Usually natural gas is the cheapest way to heat water, followed by electricity, with propane being the most expensive.
Does a hot water heater use a lot of electricity?
But your hot water heater uses a lot of energy. Water heating systems are the second biggest user of electricity in your home. This is on average 18% of your electricity costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Why is my hot water heater using so much electricity?
Sediment Buildup When the water heats up, minerals drop to the bottom of the tank and settle there. Over time, sediment can cover the lower heating element, reducing the efficiency of the hot water tank. It requires more electricity to heat the water when the lower heating element isn’t working properly.
How much does it cost to run a 50 gallon gas water heater?
An average water heater runs three hours every day, a 50 gallon, 55,500 watt water heater with a . 90EF and electricity rate of $. 16 per kilowatt will cost an average operating cost of $781 per year.