Installation Costs: Electric and Natural Gas

If you are thinking of switching from a natural gas water heater to an electric water heater, there may be additional costs to consider. Initially, you may find that an electric water heater costs about the same as a similar-sized conventional natural gas storage water heater. However, there may be additional costs if you:

• have a breaker installed;
• run a new electrical wire to the water heater;
• close up the venting from the old gas water heater;
• cap the gas line if you will no longer be using natural gas in your home;
• upgrade to the electrical panel or add a sub-panel.

Electric water heaters take longer to heat water than natural gas water heaters. To make up for longer heating times, you may wish to compare the total cost to install a larger capacity electric water heater to the cost to replace your current natural gas water heater with a similar sized model.