Gas Vs Electric Hot Water Heater Efficiency

Most gas fired water heaters have an energy factor ef number set by the u s.

Gas vs electric hot water heater efficiency. Standard gas water heaters have an ef of about 50 to 60. A gas water heater uses the heat from burning a fuel usually natural gas to heat water while an electric water heater uses electric resistance coils. This is due to the way that the heaters operate. All this can offset the higher cost of electric power to some extent.

Department of energy to help consumers compare the efficiency of similar appliances. Electric water heaters particularly electric heat pump water heaters can have higher ef ratings than gas water heaters. You ll find both gas and electric models. A gas heater must vent the spent gas which also takes some of the heat with it.

Similarly electric heaters can have higher energy factor ratings than gas heaters. And they have no combustible byproducts. Electric water heaters tend to have at least 98 thermal efficiency many are 99 percent or more. A gas or electric water heater s energy factor ef is a measurement that.

Electric water heaters require less space. The bigger the ef number the more efficient the appliance. Energy efficiency while gas hot water heaters cost less to run due to the lower cost of natural gas electric heaters are actually more efficient. Electric water heaters are not only efficient but also don t have any fuel that could leak or explode.

In comparison gas heaters usually have between 80 and 85 percent.