Propane tank water heaters: Better than electric
While Freeman Gas recommends tankless water heaters whenever the choice is clear, a market remains for tank water heaters, with good reason.
A tank water heater will cost you less to buy than a tankless model, and when replacing a tank water heater, it can just make economic sense to swap out your old tank for a new one.
Tank or No Tank? Considerations when you need to replace your water heater
- For singles or couples – If you don’t use large amounts of water and are replacing a standard gas tank heater, a new tank has a lower up-front cost and could be a better choice.
- For new construction, or for larger families and efficiency-conscious / space-challenged homeowners, tankless heaters are the best choice. Just make sure to get a professional to help you size and install your tankless heater for years of trouble-free service.
Electric heaters now burdened by new standards
In April of 2015, the U.S. government began requiring greater energy efficiency for appliances including water heaters. Many homeowners had purchased large 55+ gallon tanks in an attempt to boost hot water speed and production while using weaker electrical power.
The change in regulations effectively eliminated production of these larger tanks.
Manufacturers have attempted a workaround by producing higher efficiency “electric heat pump” water heaters. These new energy efficient tanks have serious drawbacks:
- Do not fit into existing tank space — because they are fatter and taller than the discontinued tank models, so replacing can be difficult
- Increased heater noise — because of their added fans and compressors (particularly a problem if installed in or near a living space)
- Decreased room heating efficiency — because they exhaust cold air, thus fighting with your furnace in the winter
- Added maintenance needs — with an air filter that requires frequent cleaning, and condensate waste water that has to be piped away and disposed of (a big problem in basement installations); if the condensate line freezes, the unit will not function
- Performance requires up to 700 square feet of fresh air circulation — so they cannot perform correctly if installed in small utility rooms or closets
- Up to four times more expensive — due to their size and complexity
If you need a tank, you need Freeman Gas
Your local Freeman Gas experts will help you make the right decision and make sure that the new water heater you buy is perfectly sized and installed to handle the demands of your home or business.
We invite you to visit one of our beautiful showrooms to see our installed propane-powered tank water heaters. Our no-pressure floor personnel will be glad to answer any questions you might have.
Our featured gas tank water heater brands:
We carefully research all featured brands and recommend only the best quality to you. Also depend on us for installation, service, repair, and fuel delivery. Contact us to speak with a representative today — emergency service available!