Pretty far north for electric heat..imho..
Two electric home water heaters cheaper than a single gas one?
- Thread starter Quattro Pete
- Start date
Bringo!!
I get that it's not cheaper to run on electric. That is why I want gas.
But I am still baffled that it costs him less to install two electric heaters vs one gas one. I guess he really doesn't want to install an extra gas line and venting.
Furnace will be gas, he confirmed.
But I am still baffled that it costs him less to install two electric heaters vs one gas one. I guess he really doesn't want to install an extra gas line and venting.
Furnace will be gas, he confirmed.
This makes it even more puzzling if the furnace and water heater are in the same vicinity
I’d do 2 gas 50 gallons in that size house if it’s more than just a couple living there.
We have one 50 that is for the master bath and a guest bath in the basement as well as a little-used laundry room. Another 50 gal serves the 3 kids rooms as well as the kitchen, main floor laundry, and powder bath. No issues yet, but once my kids are a bit older they may run it out of hot water.
We have one 50 that is for the master bath and a guest bath in the basement as well as a little-used laundry room. Another 50 gal serves the 3 kids rooms as well as the kitchen, main floor laundry, and powder bath. No issues yet, but once my kids are a bit older they may run it out of hot water.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Do you know his supplier - maybe price 50 gallon NG and electric …
Might be getting more hot air than hot water from this guy - We love most things on NG - only went electric on dual ovens …
Two heaters doesn't matter gas or electric piping. Minerals are driven out of the water when heated.
Piped is series the first heater end up with most of the minerals and 2 - 50 gallon heaters won't give you 100 gallons of hot water.
Piped reverse return ( first in last out). The advantage is 2- 50 gallon heaters will produce 100 gallons of hot water, minerals are divided evenly and when one heater fails and needs to be replaced it doesn't have to be the identical heater.
Piped is series the first heater end up with most of the minerals and 2 - 50 gallon heaters won't give you 100 gallons of hot water.
Piped reverse return ( first in last out). The advantage is 2- 50 gallon heaters will produce 100 gallons of hot water, minerals are divided evenly and when one heater fails and needs to be replaced it doesn't have to be the identical heater.
Ok, Here's what I think I would do. The main heater can be gas, possibly an oversized unit, like 50 gallon. The second "point of use" heater can be an instant electric unit. That way you'd have the best of both worlds.
80 gallon hybrid. Tax credits means not much more expensive than what you are considering.
Heat pump HVAC.
I have never had a house built by builder. But I hear stories about 'builder grade'. And the need or desire to upgrade. Around here the HVAC people talk about builder grade HVAC that lasts 6 to 8 years vs Trans that's close to double.
I could image a builder grade electric hot water heater with a 6 yr warranty.
I could image a builder grade electric hot water heater with a 6 yr warranty.
Builder should be flexible, if you want to pay to upgrade to a different size or quality of either gas or electric heater.
I agree with JohnnyG, considering a gas furnace anyway, would want a gas primary water heater and one or more electric point of use.
I also agree that the pricing seems off, that if a 2nd electric is $1200 more, it doesn't really save much to do a 2nd one over the first, call it $200(?), so if we are calling two electric, $2200, that is on the high side for one 50 gal gas when you'd already have a gas line for the furnace, assuming the water heater is placed near it, and pre-planned so the plumber is just adding a few more feet and valve to what's already being put in. I'm not stating it can't cost $2200 to put in a 50 gal heater, prices can vary wildly, but people usually get gouged that high or more, as consumers contracting plumbers, not so much the builder's rate paid.
Vent, yeah that's a cost but not a big one. Some helper making $25/hr can do that, and then with 2 people on site, the job gets done in 1/3 to 1/2 a day so they can do at least 2 sites per day.
I agree with JohnnyG, considering a gas furnace anyway, would want a gas primary water heater and one or more electric point of use.
I also agree that the pricing seems off, that if a 2nd electric is $1200 more, it doesn't really save much to do a 2nd one over the first, call it $200(?), so if we are calling two electric, $2200, that is on the high side for one 50 gal gas when you'd already have a gas line for the furnace, assuming the water heater is placed near it, and pre-planned so the plumber is just adding a few more feet and valve to what's already being put in. I'm not stating it can't cost $2200 to put in a 50 gal heater, prices can vary wildly, but people usually get gouged that high or more, as consumers contracting plumbers, not so much the builder's rate paid.
Vent, yeah that's a cost but not a big one. Some helper making $25/hr can do that, and then with 2 people on site, the job gets done in 1/3 to 1/2 a day so they can do at least 2 sites per day.
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AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
You said it’s $1200 extra to install the 2nd one so until you know the cost to install the first one and the cost to install a gas one you can’t know.
Forget the 2nd tank and have a recirculating loop installed.
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This. Oh, and I forgot to mention that the two would be installed in series. That way, when the incoming water is hot enough from the gas heater, the electric (don't forget, no additional gas piping, venting, and chance for a leak.) would cut off. So you might want to make the first one an 80 gallon, no big deal. This will save you tons of water usage, and sewage costs, I might add.
I won't advise a heat pump water heater unless it can be installed in an unheated space. They also produce cold air, not just hot water.
I don't see you needing much dehumidification near the Great Lakes, especially in winter.
Yup. As a matter of fact, we have to use humidifiers during winter.
I suppose that's relative. (no pun intended) I'm used to 80-99% here, year round!
I'm talking 20% humidity as a result of running heat so much during winter, which leads to respiratory issues, dry skin, allergy flare-ups, cracking wood, etc.
I think you should re-read my posts. I'm talking about DE-humidification. Only because
No, I get it. I was just saying, a lot of times I have the opposite problem.
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