What are key differences between gas and electric water heaters?

Gas heaters recover faster but need a gas supply and a vent pipe. Electric only needs a wire from the breaker panel. Depending on the area of the country you are in, gas is usually cheaper. You need to compare gas and electric prices before you make you decision on energy costs.

Both do the same thing -- keep a 55-80 gallon tank of water hot. The only drawbacks to gas would be in a retrofit, where you have to run new gas line and install a new exhaust vent in an existing house. Other than that, it just depends on the utility rates where you are. Around here we have hydroelectric dams so our electricity is much cheaper than most of the nation; electric water heaters are cheaper to run than gas. For most areas the opposite is true. If you're looking at getting a new gas water heater perhaps you should consider tankless. It heats the water as it's being used rather than maintaining a big tank of hot water. A bit more expensive up front but uses much less energy.

A gas water heater is vastly superior to an electric. Gas is also more efficient for cooking and heating your house, and for any other use that involves producing heat. As long as we have oil company executives running the government, gas prices will sometimes be excessively high, but when we return to a democracy over the next couple of elections, gas prices will go back down. Over the long haul, natural gas and propane will tend to be more economical than will electricity.

With electric I don't have a gas leak to worry about or a chimney going through the roof to worry about leaking. I have heard that gas is cheaper to operate and you will have hot water when the electricity goes out.

gas is deffinatly better than elactricity when it comes to energy consumption. it burns cleaner and you will see the differance in your household budget. make sure get a licenced gas technician to install it for you no short cuts ok

With gas prices right now you would be stupid to get a gas water heater. Electric is good because if you don't have a supply of hot water at the moment it only takes seconds for it to heat some up wheras a gas one would take about an hour. Your choice but my personal opinion is to get an electric, it saves money and time.

One has electric heating elements, one uses a flame beyond that nothing. With gas is more reliable and efficient

Gas is less expensive than electricity for heat-generating appliances.

huh the differance between gas and electric water heater?? maybe ones works by burning gas and the other by lets say electric i am not sure whether u mean effeciancy or wat but it depends on where u live but a lot of the time its personal preferance