PDA

View Full Version : Can I easily switch from gas hot water to electric hot water


Smeds
Jun 1, 2015, 03:15 PM
I currently have gas hot water system and I have low gas pressure.
How easy would it bet change t o electric hot water and would different pipes needed to run trough the house

jerileycpa
Jun 1, 2015, 04:27 PM
Easy is a relative term. However, speaking as someone who used to be married to a plumber, it's not that big of a deal. No, you will not have to run new pipes. Basically, you will need to remove the old water heater, disconnect and cap off the gas line, install a new breaker in your electrical box and a new outlet for the water heater. Then purchase the new water heater and install it to the existing piping. Best to call a licensed plumber if installing water heaters is not your forte. Depending on where you live, it will cost more than $500 but probably less than $2000.

talaniman
Jun 1, 2015, 05:47 PM
You could just solve the low gas pressure problem and be good to go.

massplumber2008
Jun 1, 2015, 05:53 PM
Low gas volume or low gas pressure? Talaniman raises good point!

Also, not quite as easy as presented by jerileycpa, but not far off in most cases! Here, we need to know if you have a boiler or furnace that connects with the water heater flu (duct work). If you do, it may be that removal of the water heater could result in an oversized chimney flu and that could cause backdraft issues with your furnace in the winter. It could be an easy fix, or a complicated fix, so let us know, OK?

With that being said, most likely you will be fine swapping out.. prices will definitely be determined by state, etc...

Back to you

Mark

ma0641
Jun 1, 2015, 06:04 PM
AND, how much amperage capacity is available in the breaker box? You can't just" install a new breaker in your electrical box" without knowing what is available. Electric HW heaters typically need a 240 volt 30 Amp circuit with 2 breakers.

Milo Dolezal
Jun 2, 2015, 09:20 PM
Pressure should be the same throughout the house. If low, have Gas Co. to give you new pressure regulator that allows higher pressure to the house.

If you use Propane, than increase pressure by few pounds at the tank.

If low Volume, than run new, larger, gas pipe to the heater. It will be significantly less expensive to do than dealing with switching to electric water heater

Milo