Do Gas Water Heaters Use Electricity?

The Best Way to Heat Water While Saving Energy

When it comes to choosing a water heater, energy efficiency, reliability, and performance are at the top of the list for most homeowners. If you’re considering a propane water heater, you may wonder whether it requires electricity to operate. While you can install a bare-bones tank-type water heater with a standing pilot light that doesn’t use electricity, modern propane water heaters—whether tank or tankless—will require minimal electricity for thermostat, pilot ignition, and control panels.

But it’s not enough electricity to impact your bill—especially compared to the cost of using an electric water heater. Did you know heating water accounts for almost 20% of your energy costs? Of course, any new water heater will be more efficient than older technology, but it’s important to choose the right option for your home and your needs.

That’s why, when it comes to saving energy, you might want to consider a propane water heater instead.

Why Propane?

Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, and it delivers more than twice the Btus of natural gas, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy. It also works quicker, meaning propane water heaters heat your water faster than their electric counterparts.

And that means they cost less to run. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save $174 yearly just by using a propane water heater versus an electric one.

Storage or Tankless?

Another important consideration is whether to go with a traditional storage-type water heater or opt for tankless.

Storage-tank water heaters are exactly what they sound like: a big storage tank, typically about 20 to 80 gallons, that keeps water hot and ready for use. These units use a thermostat to maintain water temperature, reheating as needed. This process, known as “standing heat loss,” is the main drawback of storage water heaters. If you use a lot of hot water and have an electric water heater, it can significantly impact your energy bills.

Additionally, storage-tank water heaters limit hot water availability. On busy mornings, when everyone needs to shower and get out, someone likely ends up with lukewarm water.

On the plus side, propane-fueled storage-tank water heaters are relatively inexpensive to purchase. More energy-efficient models are available, and additional insulation can help reduce heat loss—although they can still be more costly to operate.

Tankless water heaters are more expensive upfront, but they offer significantly higher energy efficiency.

Instead of storing hot water, tankless water heaters instantly heat water as needed. When you turn on the tap, water flows through the unit and is heated by a propane-fueled heating element. Turn off the tap, and the unit stops heating—eliminating the cost of maintaining a tank full of hot water at all times.

Tankless models provide virtually unlimited hot water while delivering energy savings of up to 40%.

They also save space, as they are compact—about the size of a suitcase—and can be wall-mounted or placed in a closet, freeing up valuable space in your home.

Instead of total gallon capacity, tankless water heaters are measured by their flow rate in gallons per minute. The more hot water you need at once, the higher the flow rate you’ll require.

The Bottom Line

Ready to learn more about the benefits of a tankless water heater for your home? Admiral’s expert team can help you choose the best option for your needs, install it correctly, and provide maintenance and repairs.

Enjoy energy efficiency and all the hot water you need with a new propane water heater! Contact us today to get started.