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  • Rustspecs13

    Feb. 20, 2011 12:49 p.m. Rustspecs13 Reader

    So me and two friends just moved into my moms house and are renting it.

    My mom was considering to buying an electric water heater and we were thinking of getting rid of the gas stove to get rid of the gas bill all together.

    I'm looking on CL and theres a good amount of deals. But one add said "installed in oct '10, went back to gas". Ive heard similar stuff in the past, and IVe heard of people that have no difference.

    So how do I avoid that and get a good electric water heater? I was planning on getting one off craigslist, looks like theres plenty in the $200-450 range.

    ~Alex

  • cwh

    Feb. 20, 2011 1:24 p.m. cwh SuperDork

    It's been a long time, but gas used to be a LOT cheaper to operate than electric. The least expensive now is the "On demand" type that only heats water when you turn it on. Pricy up front, but a lot cheaper after that. This is also a job that, either way, should be done by a pro.

  • Datsun1500

    Feb. 20, 2011 1:45 p.m. Datsun1500 Dork

    Rustspecs13 wrote:

    So how do I avoid that and get a good electric water heater? I was planning on getting one off craigslist, looks like theres plenty in the $200-450 range.

    ~Alex

    New ones are in the $200-$450 range....

    Electric is usually more expensive than gas. If you want to go with the electric one get the measurements of the one that is there and see if any at Home Depot match up to the fittings, that way you unhook the old one and put the new one in place. You will need to run 220v electric though..

    You should be able to get one installed through Home Depot or Lowes for under $500 figuring $300 for the unit and $200 for install

  • Chebbie_SB

    Feb. 20, 2011 1:51 p.m. Chebbie_SB HalfDork

    For a quick comparison go to the big box home center and compare the "annual cost" stickers on a gas and an electric with the same size tank (you may want to know what your rate is for gas and electric). Same applies for gas and electric dryers. The local utility may have a cost of use comparo available too !
    One thing to remember,the fridge and water heater are "on" 24 hours a day / 365 days a year !
    (unless it is a vacation property...)

  • stuart in mn

    Feb. 20, 2011 2:39 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

    Don't forget you need to connect the thing to the circuit breaker panel as well - a regular water heater will typically require a 240vac, 30 amp circuit; a tankless heater may require as much as 100 amps or more. It will also need a local disconnect switch if it's not within sight of the panel.

  • Grtechguy

    Feb. 20, 2011 2:43 p.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

    100amps? 2 years ago my 1900sq ft house only had 75amp service TOTAL

    For what it's worth, I run 2 NG heaters. Never out of hot water.

  • carguy123

    Feb. 20, 2011 2:46 p.m. carguy123 SuperDork

    The cost to run the wiring will more than negate any benefits to getting rid of gas. Plus as others have said electric HWHs are a lot more expensive to operate than a gas one.

    An added benefit of keeping the gas stove and HWH is that in case of a power outage they still work. I've heated my house with the stove on more than one occassion.

  • Ian F

    Feb. 20, 2011 6:29 p.m. Ian F SuperDork

    If you have gas and the connections are already there, stay with gas. More so if there is nothing wrong with the gas heater in the first place. The only reason to ever go to electric is if you are installing some sort of of solar electric set-up as well.

  • 1988RedT2

    Feb. 20, 2011 7:21 p.m. 1988RedT2 Dork

    If I had gas, I'd darn sure keep it. If you have issues with the current gas water heater, replace it with a new gas unit. I prefer cooking on a gas stove. The electric smoothtop I have now looks nice and is easy to clean, but it sucks at cooking.

  • spriteracer

    Feb. 20, 2011 8:46 p.m. spriteracer New Reader

    carguy123 wrote:

    I've heated my house with the stove on more than one occassion.

    My friend's father died from doing this. Don't do it.

  • minimac

    Feb. 20, 2011 10:27 p.m. minimac SuperDork

    cwh wrote: The least expensive now is the "On demand" type that only heats water when you turn it on. Pricy up front, but a lot cheaper after that.

    You'll find that most of them are rated gallons per minute @ a 40 degree rise. That means if the temp of your water coming in the house is 50 degrees, the gpm that they quote is at 90 degree water temperature. You want a whole lot hotter water than that. An instantaneous might be adequate for two people, but it really is borderline for three. I would have one only if I lived alone. And you'll have to buy a really, really good one(expensive) to get adequate flow at a comfortable temperature. A good 40 gallon gas heater can be had for well under $800 installed. That is with electronic ignition-so the pilot isn't on 24/7. If money is really an issue, a 30 gallon tank can be had for around $300, but will only have a 5 year warranty. Flush the tank at least once a year, and the life should double the warranty time. Tell "Mom" to replace the water tank with a gas water heater. There's a reason you see used electric water heaters for sale.....and most of it is because they are expensive to run.

  • Ranger50

    Feb. 20, 2011 10:55 p.m. Ranger50 HalfDork

    Based on my current electric bills, I'd keep the gas and dump electric!

    If you are replacing on age, I got some new plastic pipe, dope, some gas tape, and installed a new one myself in 2 days of fiddling with it after the old one exploded.

  • curtis73

    Feb. 20, 2011 11:02 p.m. curtis73 Dork

    I've never heard of anyone anywhere ditching gas to go electric to save money. Where do you live?

  • RossD

    Feb. 21, 2011 8:09 a.m. RossD Dork

    Energy is energy; 3412 BTU/h is 1000 watts. Do a little investigating on your prices for your different utilities. With any gas or electric water heater, if it's sized correctly you'll never notice it. If it's capacity (either heat or storage) is too low, you'll be swearing at it and your roommates because you had to take a cold shower. As someone who occasionally sizes water heaters as part of my job, it's never quite as easy as I'd like. Lots of guessing at shower times, temperatures, amount of occupants, and costs...among other things. Take a look at this website to help you size one correctly:

    http://www.hotwatersizing.com/

    edit: I just realized that website is a little bit more commercial than residential but it should be somewhat helpful.

 
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