Understanding Gas versus Electric Water Heaters

Posted in Hot Water Heater Repairs , on June 27, 2025

The water heater is essential to every single home across Broward County. It supplies your entire home with warm water for bathing, cooking, cleaning and much more. However, over time, it is possible for your water heater to slow down, become less efficient, leak or even fail entirely. If you notice any kind of worrisome signs, it is always best to contact a plumber in Boca Raton for water heater repair. They’ll be able to provide you with top-quality service based on whether your water heater is gas or electric. Both are different and require different approaches when it comes to repairs. In some cases, an old gas water heater may even need to be replaced with an electric one for best results. Contact Broward Plumbing today for water heater installation.

Here is a breakdown of the differences between gas and electric water heaters.

How Gas Water Heaters Work

plumber boca raton Gas water heaters are a bit more popular than electric heaters in the USA. Gas water heaters utilize some kind of gas or propane as a fuel source to ignite a burner underneath the tank. When this burner ignites, it heats the tank manually until the desired temperature is reached. Then the heater will turn off when hot water is not needed.

How Electric Water Heaters Work

Electric heaters are a newer device that is not as popular as gas water heaters as of now. As the name suggests, electric water heaters heat up water through the power of electricity. How it works is that the water tank fills up with cold water, and then one or two heating elements at the bottom of the tank heat it up. These heating elements are charged with electricity that is converted to heat in the tank.

Pros and Cons of Both Types of Water Heaters

Pros of Gas Water Heaters

Gas water heaters tend to heat up faster, making them ideal for larger homes that use a lot of hot water
These water heaters are also cheaper to operate because natural gas is usually cheaper than electricity.
Since gas water heaters do not require electricity, they work during power outages

Cons of Gas Water Heaters

Gas water heaters are more expensive to install since a gas line is required for the area
Your water heater room will need ventilation because of the gas
These devices are less energy efficient since heat is easily lost from the constant burning

Pros of Electric Water Heaters

Upfront installation costs are cheaper when compared to gas heaters
Electric water heaters are much more energy efficient because all of the electrical energy goes straight into the water
Naturally, electric water heaters are safer because there is no gas or combustion involved in the heating process

Cons of Electric Water Heaters

It takes longer to reheat the tank after heavy use
Depending on the electricity rates in your municipality, it may be more expensive to operate an electric water heater
In the event of a power outage, you’ll be left without any hot water

Regardless of Your Water Heater Type, Call Broward Plumbing

Understanding the differences between gas and electric water heaters can help you make the best decision for your home’s comfort and efficiency. Whether you’re dealing with leaks, poor performance, or complete failure, it’s essential to act quickly. A professional plumber in Boca Raton can assess your system and recommend the right solution, whether that’s a simple water heater repair or a full replacement. For reliable service you can count on, contact Broward Plumbing for water heater installation.