The answer in two lines
If you have natural gas and a well-ventilated spot, a gas water heater is usually the cheapest to run. If you need a lot of hot water for several showers back to back, an electric tank heater is the best fit. And if space is tight and you want hot water instantly with no waiting, an instant (tankless) heater is the answer, but it needs a strong electrical line.
As winter arrives, the first question in every home is: "Should we get a gas or an electric water heater?" The wrong choice can cost you on your electricity or gas bill every month, or leave you waiting for the water to heat up every time. In this guide from Tawredaat (توريدات), an electrical and finishing materials store in Cairo and Giza, we compare the three types and show you how to pick the right capacity for your home.
What is the difference between gas, electric and instant water heaters?
| Comparison | Gas | Electric tank | Electric instant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running cost | Usually the lowest | Medium to high | Depends on use |
| Hot water speed | Immediate | After the tank heats up | Immediate |
| Amount of water | Continuous | Depends on tank size | Continuous for one or two outlets |
| Installation | Needs gas and ventilation or a flue | Easy, needs wall space | Needs a strong line and breaker |
| Space | Small | Large | Very small |
| Best for | Homes with natural gas | Large families and more than one bathroom | Small apartments and kitchens |
What size electric water heater does your family need?
This is the approximate split commonly used in the Egyptian market for electric tank heaters:
| Number of people | Right capacity |
|---|---|
| 1 – 2 people | 30 – 40 L |
| 3 – 4 people | 50 – 60 L |
| 5 people or more | 80 – 100 L |
✔ If the family showers one after another at the same time (in the morning, for example), go up to the next size.
And what size gas water heater?
Gas water heaters are rated by how many liters of water they heat per minute: 6 L is enough for one bathroom, and 10 L is better if you will run the bathroom and the kitchen at the same time.
And how many kilowatts for an instant heater?
Instant heaters are rated in kilowatts. Models of about 9 to 12 kW suit a single outlet such as a shower or a sink, and larger ones serve several outlets. Note: a 12 kW instant heater at 220 V draws about 55 A, so an electrician must choose the right wire and breaker before installation.
Safety tips before installation
- ⚠ Gas heater: never install it inside a closed bathroom. It needs good ventilation or a flue to the outside, because carbon monoxide is dangerous and has no smell.
- ⚠ Electric heater: it needs a sound earth connection and its own breaker in the distribution panel.
- ⚠ Install an earth leakage (RCD) breaker on the bathroom line. It cuts the power if there is a leak and protects whoever is in the bathroom.
- ⚠ Choose a circuit breaker rated for the heater's power, and never run the heater on a power strip or an ordinary plug.
How to save on electricity and gas in winter?
- ✔ Set your electric heater to about 50 – 60 °C instead of the maximum.
- ✔ Don't leave the electric heater on all day if you don't need it; some heaters have a timer or a digital thermostat.
- ✔ Insulate hot-water pipes that run through exposed areas.
- ✔ Service the heater once a year: cleaning sediment out of the tank improves performance and extends its life.
Water heaters available on Tawredaat
- 12 kW instant heater: Insta 12 kW, white · Insta 12 kW, black
- German instant heater: CLAGE DEX 12 Next, 220 V
See every model (gas, electric and instant) in our water heaters collection.
Frequently asked questions
Gas or electric water heater, which is cheaper?
If you have natural gas, a gas heater is usually cheaper to run. An electric heater is easier to install and needs no ventilation, but costs more on your bill.
50 L or 80 L water heater?
50 L suits a family of 3 to 4 people, and 80 L is better for 5 people or more or for a home with more than one bathroom.
Does an instant heater use a lot of electricity?
It draws high power while running, but uses nothing while idle, unlike a tank heater. The actual cost depends on how often and how long you use it.
Can I install a gas heater inside the bathroom?
Preferably not, unless there is a flue to the outside and good ventilation, because of the risk of carbon monoxide.
What breaker size does an instant heater need?
It depends on its power in kilowatts. A 12 kW heater at 220 V draws about 55 A, and it is best to let an electrician choose the right wire and breaker.
Ready to choose your water heater before winter?
Browse water heaters and circuit breakers on Tawredaat, with delivery in Cairo and Giza.
About Tawredaat: Tawredaat (توريدات) is an Egyptian supplier of electrical and finishing materials, serving homeowners, companies and contractors in Cairo and Giza. Questions? See our FAQ.
