Gas vs Electric Water Heater Cost Calculator

Are you in the market for a new water heater? With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming and confusing to determine which one is the best fit for your home and budget. That's where our Gas vs Electric Water Heater Cost Calculator comes in. This tool allows you to compare the total cost of owning and operating both gas and electric water heaters over a set period of time. By inputting a few key details about your household and usage patterns, our calculator will provide you with an easy-to-understand breakdown of the long-term costs associated with each option. So, whether you're a homeowner, a renter, or someone in between, our Gas vs Electric Water Heater Cost Calculator is the perfect tool to help you make an informed decision about your next water heater purchase.

Gas vs Electric Water Heater Cost Calculator

Compare the cost of operating a gas water heater versus an electric water heater

Gas vs Electric Water Heater Cost Calculator Results
Gas unit price ($/therm)0
Electric unit price ($/kWh)0
Gas water heater energy factor0
Electric water heater energy factor0
Gas water heater usage (therms/year)0
Electric water heater usage (kWh/year)0
Expected lifetime of water heater (years)0
Gas water heater annual maintenance cost ($)0
Electric water heater annual maintenance cost ($)0
Total cost of gas water heater0
Total cost of electric water heater0
Cost difference between gas and electric water heaters0
Savings with gas water heater over lifetime0

Choose the best water heating option with our oil vs. Electric water heater calculator. This calculator compares the costs and efficiency of oil and electric water heaters, helping you make the right choice for your home or business.

How to Use the "Gas vs Electric Water Heater Cost Calculator"

Introduction: Are you in the process of choosing between a gas or electric water heater for your home or business? The "Gas vs Electric Water Heater Cost Calculator" can help you determine the cost of operating each type of water heater over its lifetime. By comparing the total costs, you can make an informed decision that will save you money in the long run.

Instructions for Utilizing the Calculator

To use the "Gas vs Electric Water Heater Cost Calculator," you need to input the following data:

  • Gas unit price ($/therm) - The cost per unit of gas used by the gas water heater.
  • Electric unit price ($/kWh) - The cost per unit of electricity used by the electric water heater.
  • Gas water heater energy factor - A measure of the gas water heater's efficiency.
  • Electric water heater energy factor - A measure of the electric water heater's efficiency.
  • Gas water heater usage (therms/year) - The estimated amount of gas the water heater will consume per year.
  • Electric water heater usage (kWh/year) - The estimated amount of electricity the water heater will consume per year.
  • Expected lifetime of water heater (years) - The expected lifespan of the water heater.
  • Gas water heater annual maintenance cost ($) - The annual cost of maintaining the gas water heater.
  • Electric water heater annual maintenance cost ($) - The annual cost of maintaining the electric water heater.

Once you've inputted the necessary data, click the "Calculate" button to get the results. The output fields and their corresponding interpretations are as follows:

  • Total cost of gas water heater - The estimated cost of operating the gas water heater over its expected lifetime.
  • Total cost of electric water heater - The estimated cost of operating the electric water heater over its expected lifetime.
  • Cost difference between gas and electric water heaters - The difference in cost between the gas and electric water heaters.
  • Savings with gas water heater over lifetime - The amount of money you can save by choosing a gas water heater over an electric water heater.

"Gas vs Electric Water Heater Cost Calculator" formula

The formula used by the "Gas vs Electric Water Heater Cost Calculator" is:

Total Cost = (Unit Price / Energy Factor) x Usage x Lifetime + Maintenance x Lifetime

Where:

  • Unit Price is the cost per unit of gas or electricity used.
  • Energy Factor is a measure of the efficiency of the water heater.
  • Usage is the estimated amount of gas or electricity the water heater will consume per year.
  • Lifetime is the expected lifespan of the water heater.
  • Maintenance is the annual cost of maintaining the water heater.

Illustrative Example

Let's say you are considering two options for a water heater for your home. The gas unit price is $1.50/therm, the electric unit price is $0.20/kWh, the gas water heater energy factor is 0.60, the electric water heater energy factor is 0.95, the gas water heater usage is 250 therms/year, the electric water heater usage is 5000 kWh/year, the expected lifetime is 12 years, the gas water heater annual maintenance cost is $75, and the electric water heater annual maintenance cost is $120.

Using the "Gas vs Electric Water Heater Cost Calculator," we can calculate the total cost of the gas water heater as follows:

Total Cost = ($1.50 / 0.60) x 250 x 12 + $75 x 12 = $6,900

Similarly, we can calculate the total cost of the electric water heater as follows:

Total Cost = ($0.20 / 0.95) x 5000 x 12 + $120 x 12 = $11,255

Thus, the cost difference between the two options is $4,355, with the electric water heater being the more expensive choice. However, if you choose the gas water heater, you can save $4,355 over the expected lifetime of the water heater.

Illustrative Example table:

InputGas Water HeaterElectric Water Heater
Gas unit price ($/therm)$1.50N/A
Electric unit price ($/kWh)N/A$0.20
Gas water heater energy factor0.60N/A
Electric water heater energy factorN/A0.95
Gas water heater usage (therms/year)250N/A
Electric water heater usage (kWh/year)N/A5000
Expected lifetime of water heater1212
Gas water heater annual maintenance cost ($)$75N/A
Electric water heater annual maintenance cost ($)N/A$120
OutputValue
Total cost of gas water heater$6,900
Total cost of electric water heater$11,255
Cost difference between gas and electric water heaters$4,355
Savings with gas water heater over lifetime$4,355

The "Gas vs Electric Water Heater Cost Calculator" is a useful tool that can help you make an informed decision when choosing between a gas or electric water heater. By inputting important data such as energy factor, unit price, usage, and expected lifetime, you can calculate the estimated total cost of each option and determine the cost difference between the two. This calculator helps you save money in the long run by choosing the most cost-effective option for your needs.

About the Author


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Siam Anik
Plumbing Engineer

Siam Anik is a Bangladeshi plumbing engineer who graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and has over 7 years of experience in the plumbing industry.