To gauge environmental impact here you'll want to know how your electricity, because the biggest decision is gas vs. electric. If your electricity is better than natural gas, go with the electric. Otherwise, i'd go with the efficient gas one.
I'm all against gas, but you also can't assume your energy, if driven by fossil fuels, will get clean enough over the (most likely) 10-15 year lifespan of the water heater, either. It's all a balancing and conditions game.
Okay well then it won't matter because I can guarantee you that US electricity won't have absndoned fossil fuels in every part of the US by then.
But if your electricity comes from a big old oil-burning plant (or most coal plants), an efficient gas system will objectively be better in terms of GHG emissions, as they run those suckers 24/7 even when demand is low.
To gauge environmental impact here you'll want to know how your electricity, because the biggest decision is gas vs. electric. If your electricity is better than natural gas, go with the electric. Otherwise, i'd go with the efficient gas one.
deleted by creator
I'm all against gas, but you also can't assume your energy, if driven by fossil fuels, will get clean enough over the (most likely) 10-15 year lifespan of the water heater, either. It's all a balancing and conditions game.
deleted by creator
Okay well then it won't matter because I can guarantee you that US electricity won't have absndoned fossil fuels in every part of the US by then.
But if your electricity comes from a big old oil-burning plant (or most coal plants), an efficient gas system will objectively be better in terms of GHG emissions, as they run those suckers 24/7 even when demand is low.