When considering a new hot water system, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is what type of system you want. Depending on your specific circumstances, this could be a gas, solar, electricity, or heat pump system. To make this choice, you should understand how each system works and its pros and cons.
With that in mind, let’s look at gas hot water systems in more detail.
What is a Gas Hot Water System?
As their name implies, gas hot water systems use gas to heat your water. How it does this depends on the type of system. Here, there are two types – storage (tank) and continuous flow (tankless) systems. No matter what the system, though, they are typically marked with energy ratings that show how efficient the gas heater is. The higher the star rating, the higher the efficiency, and, by implication, the heater’s cost.
How Does a Gas Hot Water System Work?
Although both tank and tankless systems use gas to heat your water, they do so quite differently. Storage systems use a burner under a tank and a thermostat to keep the water in the tank at a constant temperature. As hot water exits the system, cold water enters, and the burner will heat the water in the tank to the desired temperature. This process is constantly repeated to provide you with hot water.
Conversely, tankless systems use a burner to heat water on demand. When you turn on the hot tap, a flow sensor activates the gas burner and heats the water as it moves through a heat exchanger. Because these systems only produce hot water when required, they are more energy efficient compared to tank-based systems. They are, however, also more expensive to buy and install.
Pros and Cons of a Gas Hot Water System
We’ve now seen the different types of gas hot water systems and how they work. Let’s now look at some of the pros and cons of gas hot water systems. Probably one of the main benefits of using a gas hot water system is that you’ll save money on electricity costs. This is simply because gas is cheaper than electricity.
Another benefit of these systems is that they’re far more efficient. In other words, they’re able to heat water much faster. For example, while an electric gas heating system might be able to heat 100 litres of water in an hour, a gas system can heat 200 litres in the same time.
There are, however, some drawbacks to using a gas hot water system. Firstly, these systems are typically more expensive than electric hot water systems, both in respect of upfront purchase and installation costs as well as maintenance.
Keep in mind, though, that, over time, you’ll recoup your investment because you’ll save money on running costs. Another drawback is that gas systems might, depending on your specific circumstances, be more challenging to install because they need ventilation systems.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now know how a gas hot water system works and what some of its pros and cons are. Once you’re ready to get started with your gas hot water system, you’ll need a licensed plumber to help install your new system. So, get in touch with Precise Plumbing and Electrical. We’re your trusted plumber in Adelaide.
