Hot water heaters are an absolute necessity for any Ridgewood, New Jersey homeowner. No matter how hot and humid it is outside, there’s nothing enjoyable about a cold shower. Hot water is also essential for washing dishes effectively, ensuring that grease dissolves and potentially harmful bacteria don’t linger on your cups and plates. If your old water heater doesn’t have much time left, and you’re considering new water heater installation in Ridgewood, it’s important to find a model that best fits your needs. For expert water heater installation in Ridgewood NJ, give us a call today at 2Plumbers.
There are hundreds of energy efficient water heaters on the market today, from trusted manufacturers like Bradford White, American Water Heaters, and Lochinvar. You can find a water heater to meet almost any budget, and handle almost any volume of hot water that you need on a daily basis. One of the biggest questions you’ll ask when choosing a new water heater is whether you’d prefer gas or electric. Both natural gas and electrically powered heaters have different features, benefits, and drawbacks, so either type might be ideal for your home.
Gas or Electric: What’s the Difference?
Gas water heaters and electric water heaters perform essentially the same function, with the major difference being their source of power. Either type of water heater installation might be more practical for certain people, or more cost-effective. It’s usually individually variable, depending on how much hot water you use, how many people live in your home, whether you already have natural gas, and other various factors. Some of the common questions and concerns about water heaters among Ridgewood homeowners include:
- Which is less expensive? Naturally, most people factor economics into their choice of home water heater. If you already have natural gas piping installed in your home, or your old heater was also natural gas powered, then a gas heater can actually prove more cost-effective. They generally consume less power than their electric counterparts. However, if you need the requisite piping installed in your home, this factors into the overall cost of gas water heater installation in Ridgewood, and electric may be more affordable if you need to replace it right away.
- Which lasts longer? There’s actually not much difference in life expectancy between gas and electric water heaters. With proper maintenance, both kinds can last for up to fifteen years.
- Which is more effective? Gas water heaters have a faster “recovery rate” than electric, meaning it doesn’t take as long to replenish the supply of hot water. Most people are familiar with having to wait for hot water after someone takes a shower. If you live in a large household, the faster recovery rate could be an advantage.
- Which is more energy efficient? Although gas heaters have a superior recovery rate, they’re less energy efficient overall than electric water heaters, mostly due to heat loss through the water tank and exhaust pipes. Despite this, however, they still usually cost less to run, since in most areas, natural gas is cheaper than electricity.
When you’re choosing a new water heater, there are a number of variables that will influence your decision. For many people, natural gas is the better choice, although others prefer electric. To find out more about water heater installation in Ridgewood, give us a call today at 2Plumbers, at 201-765-0466. With friendly staff and excellent service, we lead the way in New Jersey plumbing services.
