GAS or Electricity For Hot Water Supply? 09/02/2019
Hi everyone,
There are two major options for residential hotwater heating system:
- Gas continuous flow
- Electric hot water cylinders
I am going to describe the pros and cons of these systems to help you decide which one to go when you build a new home or do renovation.
Gas continuous flow
Advantage
- Good option if you already use reticulated gas for space heating, and want to continue this
- The heating system is installed outside. No space is required inside (this is a big advantage for a limited sized home)
- Endless hotwater supply.
Be Careful
- you will have to pay a fixed charge for reticulated gas supply (if you don’t already)
- If gas mains are not nearby your property LPG bottles are needed and space outside is required for these (Normally outside a garage)
- while burning gas is relatively clean, the greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change
- though the hot water never runs out, using more than you need is a waste of money, water and energy
Electric hot water cylinders
Advantage
- Relatively low upfront cost (compared to the cost for making a new gas connection to mains)
- Outside space is not required for GAS bottles
Be Careful
- Hotwater supply may stop if it is used too much in a short period of time
- Running cost can be expensive
We often recommend GAS to our clients because it can save space inside and no risk for running out of hotwater.
Author
- Architectural Designer
- Qualification: Degree of Architecture Studies and Graduate Diploma of Psychology (University Of Auckland) ; 2nd Grade Cad Technician (Japan)
Family: Extremely lovely wife, wonderfully kind mother in low, awesomely hardworking chickens, surprisingly lazy cat and unbelievably naughty dog.
I love architecture and design so much that I have been to so many buildings and places around the world such as Sydney Opera House in Sydney, CCTV building in Beijing, Empire State Building in New York, Royal Palace in Bangkok, Houryu-Ji in Nara, etc. However, the residential building attracts me the most. For nearly 10 years I have visited heaps of local and historical homes around New Zealand which I feel the builders’ great workmanship as well as occupants’ life.
From this experience my aim is to design and provide the comfortable and affordable houses with the spirit of Japanese workmanship that people enjoy and improve their quality of life.
In this blog I write my everyday experience of work to show what is a designer’s work and how it goes at Japan Homes.
Any comments or questions are very welcome.
Please let me know!