Jan 29, 2004 02:46 PM
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(Updated Jan 29, 2004 02:46 PM)
Out of these three major types of heaters available, the most commonly used are the Electric Heaters since these have been around for donkey's years. Electric heaters account for more than 80% of the installed base, though Solar Heaters are fast catching up inspite of the heavy initial investment. The Gas based heaters are a comparatively new entrants in the already crowded market.
When we compare the initial investments, the gas based heaters win hands down with the electric and solar heaters coming second and third respectively. However, in terms of the running costs, it's the solar breed that wins handsomely, with the gas heater coming in at the second position.
When we consider the maintenance costs, perhaps, the solar heater is more heavy on the pockets especially if one has to replace the glass covering, part or whole of the piping etc. Electric heaters are a bit easier on the purse, unless the heating element goes for a six(in this case it will cost quite a bit). The most common expense one incurs with an electric heater is on the blown fuse OR a burnt section of the wiring. The gas based heater is almost maintenance free. The only part that might need cleaning/replacement is the burner and that too only after a couple of years.
The Solar heaters are quite useless in the Monsoon season, especially in areas with heavy rainfall, the electric heaters can be more or less useless wherever there's extensive load shedding / frequent power outages. The gas heater proves to be a winner in most areas(except in remote and isolated rural areas where bottled gas is still an unknown entity). Moreover, in cooperative societies, permission needs to be taken to install solar heaters which is quite often a pain in the neck.
I strongly recommend a gas based heater(for those who cannot afford the solar heaters) as it is far more economical than an electric heater(initial investments & running costs) and one gets a wide range of water temperature settings. On the whole, if we consider just the cost aspects(initial, running and maintenance), the gas based heater is a clear winner, the solar coming in at the second position and the electric winning the bronze.
After much deliberation and almost endless discussions at home, we decided to install a gas heater and our energy(read electricity) bill is down by almost 1000 bucks over a two month period, even after taking into account the cost of changing the gas cylinder twice.
So friends, if anyone is contemplating a change of heaters, there are only two choices; either the solar heater(if u have enough moolah) OR the gas heater. I strongly recommend the gas heater as I am sure the cost of gas will never reach the levels that we are paying for our electricity consumption on a unit-to-unit basis.
