The instant water heater undoubtedly is the best option when you need immediate water streaming by consuming electricity. However, there must be a potential backup in case of a power breakdown. Some electric water heater options work with gas too, but does gas water heater use electricity?
Water heaters are bought infrequently as their life is +10 years if properly cared for, and mostly, the older plumbing systems have installed the gas heater. In short, the question remains, would I get hot water from the gas heater when there is an electric outage?
Let’s begin from scratch.
To get to the root of it, the first thing to know
How does a gas water heater work?
The basic operations of a gas water heater are to intake the cold water and store it in the tank till it is heated—connected with the different fixtures where the hot water is required.
The cold water is supplied through a tube with constant and uninterrupted streaming in the tank and heated from the bottom through a burner, placed in a sealed tank.
Once the water is heated, it rises and draws off by the discharge pipe for hot water. The gas regulator/valve and a thermostat control the heat level to check the temperature.
The tank is made of steel and is enclosed with glass or plastic to prevent the unit from rusting. At the same time, the inside tank has a long dip tube that supplies cold water to the tank, which is controlled by a valve, a blue handle—if turned off, will turn the whole water supply.
The hot water discharge pipe is responsible for streaming hot water into the faucets. The exhaust flue, a hollow cylinder placed in the center of the tank, has two purposes; exhausting combustion gases and exchanging the heat in the water tank.
Does Gas Water Heater Use electricity?
With all the descriptions and understanding, the question remains: Does gas heater use electricity? Well, long story short, as I have mentioned the working of a gas water heater, it is clear that the core power source used in this water heater is natural gas.
In a nutshell, gas-tank water heaters do not usually require electricity to work daily as they rely solely on gas ignition and pilot light. However, it is not a complete no to electricity usage in a gas water heater, as some modern models require electricity to light the heater’s pilot. So, conclusively,
Some gas heaters do require electricity but not all of them.
So, why does a gas tankless water heater need electricity?
As I have said, the main power source of these water heaters is natural gas, but modern models use electricity too to light the pilot. Along with that, in some cases, the hardware of a gas water heater requires electricity to begin its operations. This means, in case of a power outage, your water heater might not start.
Note: This applies to the tankless water heater.
So that means you will not have hot water reserved for backup when needed.
In that case,
How to maintain a continuous stream of hot water?
The ideal way of keeping a hot water reserve during a power cut is the traditional gas water heater that works with a pilot light without electricity. This will keep the hot water streaming uninterrupted, which is a potential alternative for electric power outages.
What is a Pilot Light?
It is an essential component that needs to be lit to start heating water which can be done by turning the gas on or using an electric lighter to light the pilot.
Usually, you either have an electric water heater or a gas water heater installed at home. Here is the basic difference.
Electric Water Heater Vs. Gas Water Heater, which one is better?
Although both are efficient in their ways, there lies a difference in their working and heating system. This is what to expect from them.
Electric heater
Heats water using high voltage through electric heating rods placed vertically in the tank starting from the center.
Pros
- It is safe.
- There is a variety of sizes available for electric heaters.
- Users have the option for the tank and tankless.
- They are inexpensive.
- Works without a pilot; no need to relight.
- Easy installation.
Cons
- The operating cost of these heaters is high.
- Comparatively slower in heating.
- Recovery time may be extended.
- No hot water during an electric outage.
Gas water heater
On the other hand, heats the water by utilizing a gas-fired burner at the bottom.
Pros
- It allows efficient heating.
- The operating cost is affordable.
- Gas water heaters are energy efficient.
- Uninterrupted water steaming during a power cut.
Cons
- They are less safe than electric water heaters.
- Limited size
- Lifespan is short
Difference between the electric water heater and gas water heater
| Factors | Electric water heater | Gas water heater |
| Installation | Easy; require 240 Volts | Expensive if you don’t have the gas pipeline |
| Size of water heaters | A broader range of sizes | Limited range |
| Purchasing Cost | Inexpensive initially; $500 to $800 maximum | Costly; it ranges from $600 to $800 |
| Heating Rate | Slow to medium heating due to the mechanism | Fast and efficient |
| Operating cost | Expensive than gas heaters | Cost-effective |
| Energy efficiency | Efficient | Not more efficient than electric heaters |
| Life | Long; 10 to 15 years | Average; 8 to 12 years |
| Safety | Electric heaters are safe | Comparatively |
Our Recommendations for Instant Hot Water Heater Streaming
Since I have mentioned the gas and electric water heaters, here, I am sharing what I personally
Rheem Mid-Efficiency 8.4 GPM |Best Water Heater with Natural Gas
Specifications
- Water Capacity: 100 Gallons
- Power source: Natural Gas
- Dimension: 8.88 x 13.88 x 23.63 inches
- GPM: 8.4
- BTU; British thermal Unit: 180,000 BTU/h
- Coverage: 3 bathrooms
- Weight: 54 lbs.
- Water/gas connection: ¾ inch
- Comes with: a digital remote thermostat
Rheem Mid-Efficiency 8.4 GPM; a Quick Review
Some quick features of the product are
- It is energy saving unit that works only when needed and consumes less energy.
- This unit is one of the low greenhouse gas emissions.
- Along with that, this unit is comparatively inexpensive than a gas heater with 50 gallons of water storing capacity.
- The design is compact, which means it is space-saving.
- The built-in freeze protects this unit against harsh weather conditions that are down to -30 degrees F.
- Streams hot water with continuous motion.
In a nutshell, this device is a saver for money, energy, and space.
Stiebel Eltron 239223 Tankless Water Heater | Best Tankless Water Heater
Specifications
- Capacity: 0.39 gallons
- Power source: Electricity
- Dimensions: 4.63 x 16.63 x 14.5 inches
- Voltage: 240 V
- Material: Copper
- Weight: 1 lb.
- Maximum operating pressure: 150 pounds per square inch
- Installation: Wall mounting
Stiebel Eltron 239223; a Quick Review
Some quick features of the product are
- This unit is one of the best on demand water heater
- You will be able to have unlimited hot water streaming
- It is designed for wall mounting, which is why it is sleek and compact
- Consumes only 240 V of electricity and draws 28,800 watts only
- This unit will need three separate yet dedicated breakers of 40 amp with 8-gauge copper wiring
In a nutshell, it is a compact and energy-efficient on demand water heater.
Conclusion to Does Gas Water Heater Use Electricity
Gas water heaters are traditional and inexpensive means of hot water streaming into the whole house. However, they could be expensive if you don’t have a natural gas pipeline from the municipal. I personally prefer a gas heater to cover the water demand of the whole house. While on the other hand, I have installed an instant electric water heater as an alternative and mentioned the products that I have at the moment.
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