Vancouver Electric Water Heaters
Electric water heaters are generally cheaper to run than gas tanks and can be more efficient. However, they don’t produce as much hot water as gas powered tanks.
When comparing electric hot water heaters, look for the following features:
| Comparison | Definition | In Electric Powered Tanks… |
| Efficiency Rating | the percentage of heat transfer from the energy source to your water | 88-95% (water is heated through heating elements placed inside the tank ) |
| Recovery Rate | amount of hot water the tank can produce in 1 hour (with 90oF increase in water temperature) | 20-22 gallons/hr |
| First Hour Rating | amount of hot water the tank can produce in 1 hour of continuous usage | 50 gallon tank, ranges 70-80 gallons |
| Estimated Operating Costs | Cost to run the water heater per year | (@ $0.086 kilowatt/hr)
About $400/yr |
Safety Codes for electric water heaters
- Bottom Board: If your electric tank is in an unheated space, such as a basement, they must be installed on an insulated surface with a minimal thermal resistance of R-10. This can increase energy efficiency by preventing heat loss from the bottom of the tank.