Gas vs. Electric Water Heaters: Which Is Right for Your Northglenn Home?
Published 2026-08-18 · Denver Water Heater Service Center
Both gas and electric water heaters can reliably serve a household — the right choice usually comes down to what utilities are already available at your home, upfront cost, and recovery speed.
| Factor | Gas | Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery speed | Faster — reheats a full tank more quickly | Slower, though modern elements have improved |
| Upfront cost | Typically higher unit and install cost | Typically lower unit and install cost |
| Operating cost | Often lower where gas rates are favorable | Varies with local electricity rates |
| Installation requirements | Gas line, venting, combustion air | Dedicated high-amp circuit |
| Performance during a power outage | Continues operating (standing pilot models) | Stops working without power |
If you already have a gas line to the water heater location
Sticking with gas is usually the simpler and often more cost-effective path, especially if your existing venting is in good condition. Gas units also recover faster, which matters more for larger households or homes with soaking tubs.
If you don't have gas service, or the water heater is far from the gas line
Electric can avoid the cost of running a new gas line and venting, particularly in additions, ADUs, or homes without natural gas service at all. The trade-off is slower recovery and a dependency on grid power.
What about tankless?
Both gas and electric tankless options exist, though gas tankless units are far more common for whole-home use in Colorado's climate, since electric tankless units typically need very large dedicated circuits to keep up with cold incoming groundwater temperatures. See our tankless water heater installation page for more detail.
Not sure which fits your home? Our installation team can walk through your existing utilities and household usage to recommend the right fit rather than the most expensive option.