Today, we walk you through how both electric and gas water heaters work. We help you make a decision on which one is right for your family.

Electric vs. Gas Water Heaters

Time for a new water heater rental? Or maybe your owned water heater is on its last leg and you’re finally making the decision to switch to renting. Now that you’ve decided it’s time for an upgrade, you have to make the decision between electric or gas water heaters. Today, we’ll walk you through how each works and help you make the right decision for your family! 

Bradford White, the trusted and reliable product line that we use offers both gas and electric water heaters. Both promise to deliver on safety and performance! The main commonality between a gas water heater and an electric water heater is that their purpose is the same. Both have a large tank attached to a heating mechanism. That mechanism converts your cold water to hot water for a variety of different uses within your home. 

How Gas Works

You’ve heard of gas stoves, maybe you even have one in your home. Gas water heaters work in a somewhat similar way in that they burn gas which is then converted to heat. A typical gas water heater burns gas to heat the hot water located inside your home’s water heater tank.

As the hot water is used to wash dishes and take that hot shower after a long day, cold water then enters the chamber via a tube, filling the bottom of the tank. Located outside of a gas water heater you’ll find a gas valve. The valve attaches to a thermostat which will read the temperature of the water inside the tank. The thermostat reads the temperature of the cold water which has just entered, it then knows to open the gas valve. At which point the burner kicks in and begins to heat the cold water that remains at the bottom of the tank. This process then continues as you go about your routines and use hot water in your daily life.

Gas Water Heater Models

At Reliance Heath, we carry a number of Residential Gas Water Heaters that promise to deliver maximum efficiency! 

Not sure which gas water heater is best for your home? We can help. 

How Electric Works

Electric water heaters differ from gas water heaters in that they use electricity instead of gas to convert cold water into hot water. Located inside of the tank you’ll find two heating elements that heat the water inside of the tank. Based on your water heater temperature settings, the two elements will work together to heat the water to the set temperature. Once the desired temperature is reached, the elements will then turn off.

At Reliance Heath, we recommend that your water heater is not set above a temperature of 140 F or 78 C. The efficiency of the water heater largely depends on the tank and the heating elements. On every water heater, you’ll find a hot water pipe and a cold water pipe. The cold water pipe is attached to the dip tube. Then incoming water is then sent to the bottom of the tank to be heated and then sent out to the hot water pipe as you switch your dishwasher on or begin to run a warm bath. 

Electric Water Heater Model

Reliance Heath uses the  Bradford White AeroTherm® Series Heat Pump (RE) to heat your water like never before. With four easily selectable operation modes (Heat Pump, Hybrid, Electric, Vacation), the AeroTherm Series gives you control over your water heater’s energy consumption.

Your Best Water Heater Yet

We understand that efficiency, water bills, and having the smallest negative impact on the environment are usually our customer’s main concerns and we’ve got you covered. 

So, this all sounds great but you’re still unsure which type of water heater may be best for your family, given your home’s unique needs. No problem. Our team of trusted experts is just one phone call away! We’ll come down and assess your current water heater situation and provide you with a recommendation that is the optimal choice for your home. Get ready for your best water heater yet.