This article will provide background knowledge of electric hot water heaters including manufacturers, advantages of an electric water heater over a gas water heater, price, energy efficiency and service life.
Electric water heaters are commonly found in many homes, as they often represent the most economical way to provide hot water supply. Electric water heaters use, as you may have guessed, electricity as energy to heat incoming tap water to hot water used throughout the home. Typically, electric water heaters employ a 240 volt, single phase electrical circuit which can range in size from 30 to 50 amperes, depending on the size of the tank.
Electric water heaters offer two distinct advantages over gas water heaters. The first is if all the other appliances in the home are electric, i.e. stove, oven, clothes dryer, there is no need to have natural gas supplied or piped within the home. This represents a “first cost” savings to the homebuilder and homeowner. The second advantage is there is no need for a flue which is required on a gas water heater. The flue made of sheet metal piping provides a means for hot exhaust gases from the combustion of natural gas to safely escape from the water heater to outside air. By not needing a flue, installing an electric hot water heater saves this expense, the maintenance costs incurred cleaning the flue, and the potential risk of fire presented by the hot flue.
There are various manufacturers of electric water heaters, of which many supply to major home improvement stores. Manufacturers such as General Electric, Rheem, A.O. Smith, and Kenmore are all known across the plumbing industry to be reliable, safe, and reputable. One key in deciding on a specific manufacturer or brand is the availability of replacement parts and qualified technicians to service the appliance. All of the manufacturers listed above offer readily available replacement parts and experienced technicians can service each of the manufacturers.
You can expect to pay between $400 and $600 for a quality 60 gallon electric hot water heater made by Kenmore, Rheem, General Electric, or A.O. Smith. To have the unit professionally installed the total cost can exceed $1,000 and reach $1,500. The total cost can increase if there is a need for additional plumbing or electrical work required to hook-up the new water heater.
