qianh

Hi
I have seen some newly renovated apartment installed 100L electric water heater for hot water, wonder what’s the running cost difference compared to conventional on-demand gas water heater? Wonder if anyone here has first hand experience, I presume electric will be more expensive to run.

Many thanks!

qianh

Oh just to add it’s T2/T3 flat for a couple.

toots sweet

We are also looking into doing that. Problem is in some areas the hardness of the water causes limescale to clog the cylinders up.them up.
We think electric would be more expensive, but the convenience of not wasting all the water while waiting for it to run hot for showers etc might just push the scales.

Does anyone know if there is any way to stop/reduce the build up of limescale?

Pulaski

Install a water softener.

RichardHenshall

The fact that both systems are widely used demonstrates that there are merits to both. Electrically heated tanks are cheaper to install and avoid the ongoing inconvenience (buying & storing gas bottles) and maintenance/safety issues with a gas heater but may be more expensive to run. If they can be run on off-peak or solar voltaic electricity they may be cheaper to run.

BillBullock

We run our electric hot water cylinder on cheap rate electricity at night only for economy. The cylinder needs to be large enough for your daily usage of course, otherwise you will need to turn on the heating element during the day and use the higher rate electricity. Our cylinder is 150 litres and that's enough storage for 2 people. An instantaneous electric heater under the kitchen sink can be a good idea if the main cylinder is a long way away.

Ajmandon

A few thoughts regarding scaling.
- Rightly noted that this is dependant on the "hardness" of your water supply which is largely dependant on the source of the water supply and geology.
- Without resorting to having to have a chemical analysis carried out and deciphering what type of "hardness" you may have, look at the heating element of your kettle. If it is "clean" and you never/rarely descale/clean it, the water is "soft" enough and you shouldn't have a problem.
- Water softeners work but remember "softened water" shouldn't be used for human consumption.
- keeping the temperature of your heater/hot water below about 55/60 degC will limit the propensity for the "hardness" to form scale. Won't eliminate it but will substantially reduce the problem.

keithBT

Hi, Our apartments at Costa Esuri ( across the border) are all piped for town gas. They were all fitted with instant gas water heaters. I estimate less than 10% remain. I know this because practically all the gas cubiertos no longer have meters in them. For a holiday home, you still pay the gas standing charge for 12 months. You must still have the installation certified safe every five years at 60 euros ish minimum. I replaced ours from day one with a Bosch 100 litre electric which is on a time switch that turns it off at peak charges. We have never run out of hot water except when occupied by six all wanting a shower at the end of the day to remove sunscreen, but then you overide the timeswitch. Hence unless you permanently live there with a big family the gas option does not cost in.

macliam

Portugal is different....... both in fuel prices and regulations.

keithBT

I understand fuel prices may vary, but nevertheless it still makes more sense to avoid the gas standing charges and hence an electric water heater. They are very well insulated. The subject has been covered quite a few times before over the border at Ayamonte. I'm glad we don't have to pay PT prices for road fuel.

macliam

Most gas use in Portugal is propane/butane, so although the price is higher, no standing charge applies. Heating by electricity is generally considered more expensive, but not by much.

RichardHenshall

An electric water heater has a potential impact on attempts to keep your potência contratada as low as possible, so it too has an element of standing charge in its cost of ownership.

Apologies for the puns, if anyone was offended.