Are Tankless Water Heaters Gas Or Electric?

They Can Be Powered by Either Fuel—But One Type Might Be Better

Heating water—for bathing, for laundry, and for dishwashing—can represent as much as 20% of a home’s energy costs. That’s why homeowners looking to improve energy efficiency are opting for tankless water heating.

Tankless water heaters are very efficient, because they heat water on demand, instead of keeping large quantities of water hot in case you need it.

There are some great reasons to go tankless, in addition to their superb energy efficiency. With no storage tank, a tankless water heater is small—even whole-house sizes take considerably less room than a 55-gallon tank. Most are about the size of a suitcase. They can also be wall-mounted, which means a tankless water heater can be placed just about anywhere in the house, including closets and crawl spaces.

Tankless units also are fairly low maintenance, and last longer than tank-type water heaters, too. The primary culprit in the limited lifespan of a conventional water heater is corrosion from water stored in its tank. Because it doesn’t store water, a tankless water heater will last 18 to 20 years.

Pros & Cons of Electric and Propane Tankless Water Heaters

There are tankless units that run on gas, and there are versions that are powered by electricity, and while either type is very efficient, there are pros and cons.

The Pros of an Electric Tankless Water Heater

• They perform well for small homes or apartments.
• They don’t require propane service.
• They are less expensive to buy and install.

The Cons of an Electric Tankless Water Heater

• They have a lower flow rate, so don’t work well for bigger homes with lots of people.
• They are more expensive to operate.
• You may need to upgrade your electrical system to handle the demand, which can be expensive.

The Pros of a Propane Tankless Water Heater

• They are less expensive to operate. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes that heat water with propane rather than electricity can see average annual savings of $174.
• Propane units have a higher flow rate, so they can deliver more hot water at the same time.
• Propane-powered models tend to perform better in colder climates.

The Cons of a Propane Tankless Water Heater

• They tend to be more expensive to buy and install.
• Some modifications may be required to existing gas valves.
• They are more prone to scale build-up and so may require more maintenance.

What’s the Right Choice for My Home?

If you don’t use propane in your home, but you want to try tankless water heating, then an electric unit is going to be the way to go.

But if you already heat your home or run other appliances with clean, versatile propane, a propane-fueled tankless water heater is an incredibly smart investment. You’ll see hundreds of dollars in savings annually, which can be a big return on your investment. You’ll also enjoy virtually limitless hot water, and you may even gain some real estate in your basement when you get rid of that big old tank.

Ready to make the switch to a tankless propane water heater? The pros at PitStop Propane and Fuels have the experience and knowledge to install your system quickly and correctly. We offer top-quality models from Rinnai that help you maximize energy efficiency when heating your water—and can help you save with generous rebates, too. Contact us for more information today.