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Post Info TOPIC: Water Heater Cost


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Water Heater Cost


Has anybody figured out whether it's cheaper to run the water heater on gas or electric? We're paying for electric here in FL for winter and wondered if leaving the heater on electric like we normally do is more efficient than shifting to gas. Electric is 16 cents per KWH and propane around 30-35 for a 40 pound tank fillup. I know how to run the BTU calculations of course…but figured why reinvent the wheel if somebody already figured out the answer.

 



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RV-Dreams Family Member

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it is cheaper to run electric.....the biggest consumer of propane is the heater......oven.....HW in that order , the best way to keep cost down is to shut down the hot water heater durring non use hours and set the thermostat to a economy setting.

you dont save alot but if you figure in labor of pulling tanks or moving the rig for refill, it will put a smile on your face and an hour in your pocket!!!!!!1

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I'll agree with Mike.  Living "static" in OKC, we use the electric part all the time.  The only time that I use gas is if both of us are going to be taking showers one after the other.  When that happens, I also switch on the gas portion and both operate to heat the water faster.  I've read where others say that their hot water heater will only work on one source at a time, but ours seems to let us use both.

Terry



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RV-Dreams Family Member

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Normally the number to watch to compare propane and electric cost is if the propane per gallon cost is less than 27 times the kilowatt-hour rate for electricity, then propane is cheaper, otherwise electric is cheaper. This is the number of BTUs in each. Example one, propane is $4.00/gallon and electricity is 11c per kilowatt-hour then electric cost is $2.97 (27 times $0.11) for the same heating (BTUs) so use electric. Example two, propane is $2.00/gallon and electric is 11c per killowatt-hour, then the electric cost is $2.97, so use propane. If it is close in cost, electric is a little more efficent and a lot less trouble.

 

Flyone



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RV-Dreams Family Member

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flyone wrote:

Normally the number to watch to compare propane and electric cost is if the propane per gallon cost is less than 27 times the kilowatt-hour rate for electricity, then propane is cheaper, otherwise electric is cheaper. This is the number of BTUs in each. Example one, propane is $4.00/gallon and electricity is 11c per kilowatt-hour then electric cost is $2.97 (27 times $0.11) for the same heating (BTUs) so use electric. Example two, propane is $2.00/gallon and electric is 11c per killowatt-hour, then the electric cost is $2.97, so use propane. If it is close in cost, electric is a little more efficent and a lot less trouble.

 

Flyone


 Doing the math it looks like at least in Neil and Connie's situation it would be cheaper to operate the water heater on gas.  They're paying 16 cents per KWH so that works out to a propane equivalent of $4.32/gal. (.16x27=$4.32, using Flyone's instructions above).  A 40 pound tank holds about 10 gallons so if they're paying $30-35 for a fillup that would mean tops about $3.50/gal.  Propane is less expensive in this case.



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RV-Dreams Family Member

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Another senario to consider is whether or not electric is included in your stay. I have found several parks that include electric in monthly stays. We are currently staying at a golf resort although it's off season  for roughly $11 per day. $350 per month including all utilities and tax. In this senario electricity is a whole bunch cheaper.



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RV-Dreams Family Member

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Ron, you are correct, sorry I was in a hurry and just used an example, didn't take time to get into the specifics. I should have slowed down a bit and used their real time numbers.  My last point was, is it worth it to you for $5 or $10 a month to get the tank out get it filled and have to lift the thing and put it back in--or (as in the case of an attached tank on an RV) is it worth the drive, withe the cost of fuel these days, to get the tank filled. It's like most everything in life, it all depends on each person's situation. 

 

Flyone 

 



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