The Pros of Electric Water Heaters

Lower installation cost. Without the need for gas line connections or venting work, electric water heater installation is typically simpler and less expensive than a comparable gas installation — a meaningful factor if you’re working with a tighter replacement budget.

Simpler, safer combustion profile. Because there’s no combustion process involved, electric water heaters eliminate the venting, backdrafting, and carbon monoxide concerns that come with gas units. That doesn’t mean electric units have zero safety considerations — electrical safety still matters — but the specific risks are different, and for some homeowners, that trade-off is appealing.

Flexible placement. Without the need for a vent connection to a chimney or exterior wall, electric water heaters can often be installed in a wider range of locations within the home, giving more flexibility during a renovation or when relocating the unit.

Widely available, dependable equipment. Manufacturers like AO Smith, Rheem, and Bradford White all offer well-built electric tank lineups with a range of capacities and efficiency levels, so you’re not sacrificing reliability by going electric.

The Cons of Electric Water Heaters

Higher operating cost in most of New Jersey. This is the trade-off that catches homeowners by surprise. Electricity is typically the more expensive fuel source per unit of energy in New Jersey compared to natural gas, which means an electric water heater usually costs meaningfully more to run month to month than a comparable gas unit — often by several hundred dollars a year. We break this down with real numbers in our guide to gas vs. electric water heater running costs in New Jersey.

Slower recovery time. Electric water heaters generally take longer to reheat a full tank of water after heavy use compared to gas units of similar size, which can matter for larger households with back-to-back showers or heavy laundry days.

Vulnerable to power outages. A gas water heater with a standing pilot can often continue operating during a power outage. An electric unit cannot — no power means no hot water, full stop, which is worth considering if your area is prone to outages.

Comparing Electric Tank Lineups: AO Smith, Rheem, and Bradford White

If you’ve decided electric is the right fit, the brand and model still matter for long-term reliability and efficiency.

AO Smith offers a broad electric lineup spanning standard-efficiency to high-efficiency models, with options that fit most budgets and household sizes. Their electric units are widely installed and well-regarded for consistent performance.

Rheem electric water heaters are known for strong warranty terms and, on select higher-end models, features like leak detection — a useful add-on for homeowners who want extra protection against water damage.

Bradford White electric models are sold exclusively through licensed professional installers, which means every unit is installed correctly and registered properly from day one. Their electric lineup includes standard tank models as well as higher-efficiency options, and — as we cover in our full Bradford White water heaters guide — the brand’s warranty coverage and transferability are genuine advantages worth factoring into your decision.

All three brands make dependable equipment. The right pick usually comes down to your household size, budget, and whether specific features like leak detection matter to you.

The Pain Point: The Wrong Size Costs You Twice

Here’s where a lot of electric water heater replacements go wrong: choosing based on price alone, without matching the unit’s capacity and recovery rate to the household’s actual usage. An undersized electric unit means running out of hot water regularly — showers cut short, dishes done in lukewarm water, frustration on repeat. An oversized unit means paying to keep more water hot than the household actually needs, adding unnecessary cost on top of electricity’s already higher rate. Getting the sizing right the first time avoids paying for the mistake twice — once in daily inconvenience, and again on the utility bill.

Still Deciding? A Few Related Guides

If you’re weighing your options more broadly before committing to electric, a few of our other articles may help: our full comparison of gas vs. electric operating costs in New Jersey, our troubleshooting guide for electric water heaters not producing hot water if you’re dealing with an aging unit right now, and our breakdown of tankless vs. traditional water heaters if you’re open to skipping the tank altogether.

Let Professor Gatsby’s Help You Decide

Whether you’re without a gas line or simply weighing your options, our licensed plumbers serve homeowners throughout Somerdale, Stratford, Berlin, and the surrounding South Jersey area, and we can help you choose the right electric water heater — sized correctly, from a brand you can trust — for your household. We handle full water heater replacement as well as water heater repair if your current unit just needs a fix rather than a full swap.

Not sure if electric is right for your home? Contact Professor Gatsby’s or book an appointment online for straightforward advice before you buy.