Just how efficient are propane water heaters?

Picture a gallon of milk in your fridge. Now imagine 60 of them. That’s about how much hot water you’ll use in your showers, dishwasher, sinks, and washing machine over the course of a day.

With that kind of workload, it’s no wonder that water heating accounts for about one-fifth of the average home energy bill.

The good news is that you can reduce that number if you make some sensible decisions about your water heater – starting with the fuel you choose to power it.

Propane: The most efficient choice for your water heater

If it’s time to replace your water heater, switching from electric to propane can be a great move for many reasons, including these:

• It lowers lifetime costs – When you factor in the lower cost to install and maintain propane equipment, its longer life span (see #4 below), and its 95+ percent efficiency, a propane water heater comes out well ahead of an electric model, with a total cost of ownership of about 30 percent less than its electric-powered counterpart.
• It’s more efficient – Propane water heaters heat twice as much water in an hour than electric heaters; that means you will get more hot water from a smaller sized tank, and you’ll wait less time for water to heat between uses (this is known as “recovery time”). You’ll also pay less for your monthly energy bills.
• It shrinks your carbon footprint – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approves propane as a clean alternative fuel, for good reason: propane offers lower greenhouse gas emissions than electricity water heating options, since much of that electricity is produced by coal-fired plants. Propane is also non-toxic, so accidental spills will not damage the environment.
• It’s easier to maintain – Propane water heaters typically last a decade longer than electric-powered water heating pumps – which means you’ll spend less time and money on equipment repairs and replacements.
• It can add value to your home – A propane water heater – especially a tankless model – could improve your Home Energy Rating System (HERS) and LEED scores, which adds value to your home if you sell it.

The bottom line

A propane water heater is a cost effective workhorse that provides many advantages over its electric equivalent. If the time has come to replace your water heater, consider making the upgrade to propane gas – you’ll be glad you did!

Ready to make the switch from an electric water heater to a propane storage or tankless model? We can help! Contact us today to discuss high efficiency water heater options for your Eastern Idaho, Southwestern Montana and Western Wyoming home.