Can You Convert a Gas Hot Water Heater to Electric?
Gas and electricity are both commonly used to power water heaters and each can get the job done effectively. But can you convert a gas hot water heater to electric? Is it necessary to have a whole new unit installed, or can you convert your existing unit to run on a different power source? Let’s take a closer look at that topic in the article below.
Whether you decide to pursue a water heater conversion, or you have any other plumbing-related project pop-up, turn to the team at Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric to get the job done. Our decades of experience serving customers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex allows us to take on even the most complicated projects with confidence. For more information, contact us at any time.
Out with the Old
First, let’s get one thing out of the way right off the bat – if you want to switch from gas water heating to electric, you are going to need a new water heater. The gas water heater in your home currently is designed specifically to use gas as the power source, and you can’t convert it to use electricity instead. So, know from the start if you are going to make the switch, buying a new water heater will be part of the process.
With that said, the need to buy a new water heater shouldn’t automatically cause you to ignore the possibility of switching to electricity. Yes, you’ll have to handle the upfront cost of that purchase and the other costs of the project – more on that later – but those costs may be worth it in the end. As with anything else, it’s all about pros and cons, so you need to weigh both sides of this equation before deciding how to proceed.
Several Steps Involved
While this is not a particularly difficult project for a licensed and trained professional, there are a few different things to do before your new electric water heater is up and running. First, there is the old water heater to handle. The old unit will need to be safely removed and disposed of, and the gas line will have to be shut off properly. This should only be done by a licensed professional, so no safety issues come up later.
Another step to consider is the electrical work needed to supply power to the new water heater. You can’t just plug a water heater into a regular wall outlet, after all – work will need to be done on your electrical panel to supply the power needed in a safe manner that conforms to all code requirements. Only when the electrical work is in place can you get the new water heater installed and ready to go.
Working with a team like Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric is your best bet for this type of project because we can handle all of the various parts of the job.
Benefits of Electric Water Heating Over Gas
So, why would you switch from a gas water heater to an electric model? While there are arguments to be made in favor of either kind of water heater, there are plenty of potential benefits associated with switching to electric, including the following –
- There is a safety advantage of not using a gas line to run your water heater
- Efficiency is improved with an electric model as compared to gas
- If you need to buy a new water heater anyway, you’ll find the electric models are more affordable than gas versions
- Easy to find the right size unit for your requirements
If you would prefer to have an electric water heater in your home rather than a gas model, get in touch with Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric to find out more about how we could make that happen. Our expert team will walk you through the pros and cons of both sides of this matter, so you can decide what is best for you and your family. Thank you for visiting and we hope to hear from you soon!
