No one wants to imagine their bathroom, laundry room and kitchen without any hot water, which is why deciding on the hot water system installation is important. There are several systems on the market, and we’re going to guide you along the path of choosing the ideal one for your needs.
There are three primary hot water systems. They are either powered by gas, electricity or solar. Each of these systems has its pros and cons. In this blog, we’ll be discussing the pros and cons of gas water systems and electric units.
Gas Hot Water
Gas hot water systems are regarded as the cheaper option, especially relating to how they are run. They come in two different types, Continous Flow and Gas Storage. The continuous flow is also called an instantaneous water heater. It does not need storage tanks because they heat water only when needed, whereas gas storage systems depend on an installed tank.
Continuous Flow System Pros
- You will never run out of hot water as it is on-demand
- This system is small in size and aesthetically appealing
- It also comes with controllers to adjust water temperature
- This system is ideal for small houses and apartments
Continuous Flow System Cons:
- The units vary and some need to be plugged into a power-point meaning it won’t work during a blackout
- Gas line upgrades require extra installation costs
Gas Storage System Pros:
- Cheaper to buy and install
- There’s no need for gas line upgrades
- If you have a large family, this is the unit for you and is also great for heavy-duty use
Gas Storage System Cons:
- The system requires more space is it is larger
- It is not as energy-efficient as the continuous flow system
Electric Systems
These systems are the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and are relatively more expensive to run than gas systems. However, they are easy and cheaper to install.
Electric Hot Water Systems Pros:
- This unit is cheaper to buy
- Can be installed much more manageable when replacing the unit
- Has lower tariffs during off-peak times for water heating
Electric Hot Water Systems Cons:
- As mentioned before, it is more expensive to run and emits more pollutants than gas and solar systems
As you may see, with both systems, their disadvantages are much less making their benefits something to look into. For all your hot water systems services, get in touch with us at Shaw’s Plumbing and Gas.
