I installed a Rheem gas water heater myself. It was surprisingly straightforward! The pilot light was a bit fiddly at first, but after a few tries, I got it going. The hot water came on instantly, a huge improvement over my old electric system. The gas heater heats water much faster; I noticed the difference immediately. Gas is definitely more efficient in my experience.

Initial Installation and Setup

Let me tell you, installing my gas water heater was a far cry from the electric one I had before. With the electric, it was simply a matter of plugging it in and connecting the water lines – a relatively simple task, even for a novice like myself back then. This time, however, I was dealing with gas, and that added a whole new layer of complexity. First, I had to carefully read the manual, multiple times I might add, to understand the gas line connection process. I’d never worked with gas lines before, so I felt a twinge of apprehension. The instructions were detailed, thankfully, and I meticulously followed each step. I made sure to turn off the gas supply before I even started, a crucial safety precaution I learned about from countless online tutorials. Then came the tricky part⁚ connecting the gas line to the heater. It required a specific type of wrench and a steady hand to avoid any leaks. I double and triple-checked everything, even using soapy water to test for leaks, which thankfully, there weren’t any. Next, I connected the water lines, making sure to tighten them securely to prevent any future leaks. This part went smoothly, mirroring my previous experience with the electric heater. Finally, I turned on the gas supply and carefully lit the pilot light, a slightly nerve-wracking moment, I must admit. It ignited on the second try, filling me with a sense of accomplishment. After that, I checked for any gas leaks again, and once I was certain everything was secure and leak-free, I turned on the hot water. The initial rush of hot water was incredibly satisfying, a testament to my successful installation. The entire process, from start to finish, took me about three hours, including the time I spent double-checking everything. It was a much more involved undertaking than installing my old electric heater, but the sense of satisfaction was undeniably greater. It felt good to have accomplished something so significant, especially something that involved working with gas, something I had never done before. The feeling of accomplishment was truly rewarding.

Daily Use and Performance

After the initial installation thrill subsided, the true test began⁚ daily use. My previous electric water heater, a trusty old Kenmore model, was a workhorse, but it had its quirks. The recovery time was painfully slow; long showers were often met with a frustrating drop in water temperature. I remember countless times yelling at my family to be quick in the shower, to keep the water temperature from plummeting. With the gas heater, that’s a thing of the past. The near-instantaneous hot water is a game-changer. I can take long, luxurious showers without worrying about running out of hot water. The consistent temperature is another significant upgrade. No more jarring temperature swings that left me shivering or scalded. The water temperature remains remarkably stable, even during peak usage times. My wife, Amelia, noticed the difference immediately. She’s a big fan of long baths, and she raves about the consistent, comfortable water temperature. We’ve had several friends over for gatherings, and even with multiple showers and baths back-to-back, the gas heater never faltered. It effortlessly maintains a steady supply of hot water, something our old electric heater struggled with. The efficiency is also noticeable. Our hot water bills have decreased significantly since switching to gas. I meticulously tracked our water heating costs for both systems, keeping detailed records of our monthly usage. The difference is striking, saving us a considerable amount each month. This consistent performance and noticeable cost savings have solidified my preference for gas water heaters. I find myself appreciating the speed and reliability of the hot water supply every single day. It’s the little things, like not having to wait for the water to heat up, that make a big difference in our daily routines. The gas heater has seamlessly integrated into our lives, providing a constant source of hot water without any of the hassles I experienced with the electric model. The improved efficiency and consistent performance make it a superior choice in my opinion.

My Experience with Electric Water Heaters

For years, I relied on an electric water heater. It was a reliable workhorse, a GE model, but slow to heat. The recovery time was its biggest drawback. Long showers meant cold water interruptions. While it served its purpose, the limitations became increasingly apparent as my family grew. The consistent hot water supply was a luxury I didn’t realize I was missing until I switched.

My Previous Electric Setup

My old electric water heater was a standard 50-gallon model, a fairly common size for a family of four, which we were at the time. It was a GE, nothing fancy, just a basic unit that did the job…eventually. I remember installing it myself, a surprisingly straightforward process. The instructions were clear, and the connections were simple enough. The initial setup was a breeze; I just had to connect the power, water lines, and the drain valve. No pilot light to fuss with, which was a definite plus. However, that initial ease of installation was overshadowed by its daily performance, or rather, lack thereof.

The biggest issue was the recovery time. After a couple of showers, especially long ones taken by my teenagers, the hot water would run out. The dreaded lukewarm shower was a frequent occurrence, and it was frustrating. We had to carefully manage our hot water usage, often staggering showers to avoid running out. This was especially challenging on busy mornings. The tank itself was also quite large, taking up significant space in the utility closet, more than I’d like, which was a minor inconvenience. Maintenance was minimal; I just had to flush the tank annually to remove sediment buildup. That was a messy job, requiring a bucket and hose, but it was essential to maintain efficiency and prolong the heater’s lifespan. Overall, while the electric heater was reliable in terms of not breaking down, its performance left much to be desired when it came to hot water availability and speed of recovery. The limitations became increasingly frustrating as the years went by. It did its job, but it didn’t do it well.

Maintenance and Repairs

Maintaining my electric water heater, a trusty old AO Smith model, was surprisingly simple for the most part. I primarily focused on annual flushing to remove sediment buildup. This involved turning off the power, connecting a hose to the drain valve, and letting the water flush out any accumulated minerals. It was a messy job, requiring a bucket to catch the outflow, but it was crucial for keeping the heater running efficiently and preventing premature failure. I always made sure to check the anode rod as well; it’s a sacrificial rod that protects the tank from corrosion. I replaced it every few years, a relatively easy process that involved disconnecting the power, draining some water, and unscrewing the old rod before installing the new one. These were the main maintenance tasks; beyond that, it was mostly just visual inspections for leaks or any unusual noises.

Surprisingly, I never had any major repairs on this electric water heater during its lifetime. It was a workhorse, chugging along reliably year after year. The only minor issue I encountered was a slight leak from the drain valve, which I fixed easily with a new valve and some Teflon tape. That was a quick and inexpensive fix. I attribute the lack of major repairs to diligent maintenance and perhaps a little luck. The simplicity of the system meant there were fewer components that could potentially fail. Compared to the gas water heater I later installed, the electric one required significantly less hands-on maintenance and troubleshooting. The absence of a pilot light or burner assembly eliminated a whole category of potential problems. While the gas heater offers faster heating, the electric one proved remarkably low-maintenance throughout its operational life.

Comparing Gas and Electric

After using both, I found gas offered quicker hot water, a significant advantage for my family. Electric was simpler to maintain, needing only occasional flushing. Gas heating costs were lower for me, though initial installation was more expensive. Ultimately, the speed and cost savings of gas outweighed the slightly higher maintenance for me. Both worked well, but gas was the clear winner in my home.

The Final Verdict⁚ Gas is my Winner

Weighing everything – installation, daily use, maintenance, and long-term costs – my experience points decisively towards gas water heaters. While I appreciated the simplicity of my previous electric setup, the speed and efficiency of the gas heater ultimately won me over. Think about this⁚ with my old electric water heater, I’d often find myself waiting, sometimes impatiently, for the water to reach a comfortable temperature for showering, especially during peak usage times in the morning. This was a daily frustration that significantly impacted my routine. The gas heater, on the other hand, provides near-instantaneous hot water. It’s a game-changer, particularly for a household like mine with three teenagers who each take lengthy showers! The difference is truly remarkable. Furthermore, my gas bills have actually been lower since switching, despite the initial higher cost of installation. Yes, there’s a bit more involved in the maintenance of a gas water heater, but even that hasn’t been a major hassle. I found a local plumber, Bertram, who’s incredibly reliable and reasonably priced, and he’s always readily available for any minor adjustments or checks. So, while the initial outlay for a gas system might seem daunting, the long-term savings and the sheer convenience of having consistently hot water on demand have made it a worthwhile investment. The speed and efficiency of the gas heater easily outweigh the slightly increased maintenance requirements. For me, the superior performance and cost-effectiveness make gas the undisputed champion in the world of water heating. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone considering a new water heater. The difference in daily comfort and overall cost savings is truly substantial, and the increased convenience is priceless.