Hi,
We're doing a home reno that entails wiping out our chimney, and need to replace the existing hot water tank with either an electric hot water heater or a high efficiency gas model. (We have to vent out the side of the house, once the chimney is gone.)
The high efficiency gas heater runs close to CDN $2000, while a 40 gallon electric model runs around CDN $675 -- big difference in price. But we've heard conflicting things about the recovery rate of the electric heaters vs. natural gas. And the company that we're considering going wiith is quite adamant that the electrric heater would not serve our needs.
There are three of us living in the upstaitrs (two adults + baby), and because of our child, we do a fair amount of laundry. But we also have two tenants living in a basement suite. The suite has its own laundry, as well.
So...four adults + one child, plus two laundries that can be going at the same time. Add to this the occasional guest.
Which hot water heater would you choose?
Thanks very much in advance for your replies.
You also want to check the different in cost of electricity vs gas.
In general it cost much more for electric, but in some areas of the country electric is cheaper or only a small premium worth the lack of having to have a vent.
But electric are slower recoverying and you should get a larger, 50 or 60 gals or maybe 2 40 gals.
In general it cost much more for electric, but in some areas of the country electric is cheaper or only a small premium worth the lack of having to have a vent.
But electric are slower recoverying and you should get a larger, 50 or 60 gals or maybe 2 40 gals.
Electric water heaters have exactly twice the recovery time as gas. That is why they are bigger tanks. They need the extra storage capacity. Gas, oil, electric are all about the same cost to operate because the btu's they produce are all relative to what you are paying for the fuel. Trust me, there is no such thing as a cheaper fuel source. I know it hurts to spend more money but forget the electric and go with gas.