Safety | Using Propane in Your Home | Using Propane in Your Backyard

Water heating is the second largest use of energy in most homes today. Propane-fueled water heaters are ideal because they offer many advantages over electric models, including:

• Lower operating costs
• Higher efficiencies
• Quicker recovery rates
• Smaller storage space requirements
• Continuous hot water supply
• More accurate temperature adjustment
• Wider selection of sizes, installation, and venting options
• Reduced risk of power problems 

A propane gas water heater can heat more than twice as much water in an hour as a comparable electric model. In addition to operational advantages, propane gas water heaters have cost advantages. The heating elements in electric models commonly require replacement several times over the life of the unit. Propane models are extremely durable and can last for many years with minimal service requirements.

Many models of efficient, economical propane gas water heaters are available on the market today. The two most common types are:

• Storage: The predominant design of gas water heaters is the storage water heater with a bottom-burner configuration. These units hold heated water in a thermostatically controlled storage tank. They can produce up to four times as much hot water as electric models in the same amount of time.
• Instantaneous: Tankless or instantaneous water heaters do not continually heat water. A gas burner automatically ignites when the faucet is turned on and water is heated instantly. When the faucet is turned off, the unit shuts down. Initial costs are higher than for storage models, but over time they save consumers money. Tankless water heaters may be mounted on walls, and are ideal where space may be limited.