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Gas vs Electric Tankless Water Heaters: Which Is the Best Choice for Your Utah Home?

By Court Lundberg

When it comes to upgrading your home’s hot water system, choosing the right tankless water heater can feel like navigating a maze of technical jargon and endless options. If you’re living in Bountiful, UT, or anywhere in Utah, where temperatures dip low and hot water is a daily must-have, you need a water heater that’s dependable, energy efficient, and cost-effective over the long haul.

One of the most common dilemmas Utah homeowners face is deciding between gas vs electric tankless water heaters. Both types have their perks and trade-offs. Whether you’re building a new home, swapping out a clunky traditional tank heater, or simply craving endless hot water without the wait, this guide breaks it all down for you.

Let’s dive into how gas tankless water heaters and electric tankless water heaters compare, so you can pick the best option for your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

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Water Usage: Gas vs. Electric

First things first: how much hot water do you actually use?

If your household runs multiple showers, loads of laundry, and dishes all at once (especially on those chilly Utah mornings), a gas tankless water heater might be your best friend. Gas tankless heaters generally offer a higher flow rate than their electric counterparts. That means they can heat more gallons of water per minute (GPM), so you won’t be battling for hot water.

Electric tankless water heaters, while great for smaller households or point-of-use needs (like heating just one bathroom), might struggle to keep up with whole-home demand, especially if you’re trying to run several appliances at once. They simply don’t heat water as quickly or in as large quantities as gas models.

So, if you’ve got a big family or like your showers long and steamy, gas tankless is probably the way to go.

Two wall-hung gas units piped in a tiled utility room

Energy Costs / Long-Term Savings: Gas vs. Electric

Now let’s talk money, and not just upfront costs, but what you’ll be spending (or saving) over time.

In Utah, natural gas prices tend to be lower than electricity prices, which makes gas tankless water heaters a smart bet for long-term energy savings. These units heat water quickly and efficiently, especially in high-demand households.

However, electric tankless heaters can still be more energy efficient in certain ways. Since they don’t lose heat through venting like gas water heaters do, and there’s no standby heat loss like you get with a storage tank, they waste less energy overall. Plus, modern electric tankless water heaters have high energy factor (EF) ratings, which means they convert more of their energy into actual hot water.

If your goal is ultimate energy efficiency, electric tankless water options might appeal more. But if you’re focused on long-term energy savings in a cold climate like Utah’s, gas tankless often wins, especially if you already have an incoming gas line in place.

Price: Gas vs. Electric

Here’s where things get interesting.

When it comes to unit cost alone, electric tankless heaters are generally cheaper. You can snag a solid electric tankless water heater for a few hundred bucks less than a gas model.

But don’t get too excited just yet, because price tags only tell part of the story. You’ve got to factor in what comes next: installation costs, energy bills, maintenance, and possible upgrades to your adequate electrical supply or gas lines.

Still, for homeowners on a tight budget, especially those with smaller homes or lower water usage, an electric tankless heater offers an affordable and efficient way to get endless hot water.

Installation Costs: Gas vs. Electric

Let’s break down what it takes to get these systems up and running.

Installing a gas tankless water heater can be more involved. You’ll need proper venting, upgrades to your combustion air supply requirements, and sometimes new or larger gas lines. That’s especially true if you’re converting from an old electric tank water heater to a gas setup. These upgrades can drive up the installation cost significantly, often into the thousands.

On the flip side, electric tankless water heaters are simpler to install. They don’t require venting and are more compact, which means they can fit easily into tight spaces. However, they often require electrical upgrades since they’re very high power appliances, which means you may need to upgrade your panel or run new wiring if your current setup can’t handle the load.

In Bountiful and nearby Utah cities, Rare Breed Plumbing can help you assess whether your home’s current infrastructure can support either type, and what the water heater installation will actually cost.

Maintenance: Gas vs. Electric

Nobody likes surprise breakdowns or high repair bills.

Gas tankless heaters have more moving parts, like burners and venting systems, which means they typically require more frequent maintenance. You’ll need to have them descaled regularly (especially in Utah’s hard water zones), clean the heat exchanger, and check for gas leaks or blockages.

Electric tankless water heaters are simpler machines. Fewer parts mean fewer things that can go wrong. Maintenance mostly involves descaling the system once or twice a year and maybe replacing a filter.

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance hot water solution, electric models definitely have the edge.

Water heater flue and expansion tank in a Utah home

Lifespan: Gas vs. Electric

Both gas and electric tankless water heaters are built to last longer than traditional tank heaters, which usually give up the ghost after 8-12 years.

With proper care, you can expect about 15-20 years of life from either a gas tankless heater or an electric tankless heater. The catch? Gas units may need more frequent service to reach that upper end of the range.

Electric units, with their simpler design and fewer internal parts, often have a longer effective lifespan, especially if you keep up with regular maintenance.

So, for long-term durability with less fuss, electric tankless heaters come out slightly ahead.

Environmental Impact: Gas vs. Electric

If going green is a priority, the environmental impact of your water heater matters.

Electric tankless water heaters produce zero on-site greenhouse gas emissions, making them the more eco-friendly option, especially if your electricity comes from renewable sources. And as the grid gets cleaner, electric tankless options will only become greener.

Gas tankless water heaters, while efficient, still rely on natural gas, a fossil fuel. Burning gas releases greenhouse gas emissions, even if it’s more efficient than an older gas tank system.

So, if you’re trying to shrink your carbon footprint, electric tankless water systems are the better choice for the planet.

Book Rare Breed Plumbing for Tankless Water Heaters in Utah

Still on the fence between electric and gas tankless? Choosing the right tankless water heater is about what works for your home, your family, and your budget, not just the specs.

Whether you are replacing an old water heater, switching from a tank, or building new, we serve Bountiful, Sandy, and the nearby Utah communities. We will look at your gas line or electrical setup and help you pick the right unit.

Book a 3-hour appointment window and we will walk you through gas vs electric for your home.

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