answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Both work just as well. The only difference is what the supply voltage is at hand. Heaters are rated in watts. Your electric bill is rated in watts consumed per hour. Watts = Amps x Volts. An example, 500 watt heater at 120 volts will equal 4.16 amps. The same heater at 240 volts will equal 2.08 amps. As you can see if the voltage goes up the current goes down but the wattage total is always the same. That is the reason that you are billed on wattage, and not on what the service voltage or the current draw of the service is.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is better 120 volt or 240 volt water heater?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

What size breaker for 120 volt 2500 watt water heater?

20 amp is perfect, 15 is fine


Wiring diagram electric baseboard heater?

Yes, the heater is a 240/120 heater, but I want to operate as 120 volt


What size breaker for a 1500 watt 120 volt heater?

15 amp


Can you soft wire an electric water heater and plug it into a household outlet?

If it does not come with a plug on it, no. If it is made for direct wire, then 99.9% chance is that it is a 240 volt unit. If you plug it into a 120 volt outlet your water will barely get warm.


What will happen if 120 volt appliance is plugged into 220 volt outlet explain with electrical equation?

If V is the rated voltage of the equipment, and Vs is voltage of the supply, we have this approximate equation: Vs = 2 V. That is enough to wreck the equipment and/or blow the fuse.120 volt appliance on 240 voltsThis senerio will use an electric baseboard heater but the results will be the same for any electrical appliance.The heater will operate over its given specified wattage. A 120 volt heater run off of 240 volt will have an output increase. Ohms law stated that current is directly proportional to the applied voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance of the circuit. A 240 volt heater can be run off of 120 volts but the wattage will be reduced.For example if an ordinary 1000 watt baseboard heater's supply is 120 volts, the current of the heater will be, I = W/E 1000/120 = 8.3 amps.The resistance of the heater is R = W/I (squared) =1000/8.3 x 8.3 (69) = 14.5 ohms.Applying 240 volts on the same heater whose resistance is 14.5 ohms results in a new heater wattage rating. W = E (squared)/R = 240 x 240 (57600)/14.5 = 3972 watts.This is 2972 watts, almost 300%, higher than the manufacturer's designed safety rating.The amperage drawn by connecting a 120 volt, 1000 watt heater to a 240 volt source will be, I = W/E = 3972/120 = 33 amps.W = watts, I = amperage, R = resistance in ohms and E = voltage.

Related questions

Can i run a 240 volt water heater on 120 volt?

No. A water heater requires a 240 volt connection and cannot be re-wired to run on 120 volts. There isn't enough amperage in 120 volts to power the heating rods that are inside.


What size breaker for 120 volt 2500 watt water heater?

20 amp is perfect, 15 is fine


Wiring diagram electric baseboard heater?

Yes, the heater is a 240/120 heater, but I want to operate as 120 volt


What size breaker for a 1500 watt 120 volt heater?

15 amp


Can you soft wire an electric water heater and plug it into a household outlet?

If it does not come with a plug on it, no. If it is made for direct wire, then 99.9% chance is that it is a 240 volt unit. If you plug it into a 120 volt outlet your water will barely get warm.


What will happen if 120 volt appliance is plugged into 220 volt outlet explain with electrical equation?

If V is the rated voltage of the equipment, and Vs is voltage of the supply, we have this approximate equation: Vs = 2 V. That is enough to wreck the equipment and/or blow the fuse.120 volt appliance on 240 voltsThis senerio will use an electric baseboard heater but the results will be the same for any electrical appliance.The heater will operate over its given specified wattage. A 120 volt heater run off of 240 volt will have an output increase. Ohms law stated that current is directly proportional to the applied voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance of the circuit. A 240 volt heater can be run off of 120 volts but the wattage will be reduced.For example if an ordinary 1000 watt baseboard heater's supply is 120 volts, the current of the heater will be, I = W/E 1000/120 = 8.3 amps.The resistance of the heater is R = W/I (squared) =1000/8.3 x 8.3 (69) = 14.5 ohms.Applying 240 volts on the same heater whose resistance is 14.5 ohms results in a new heater wattage rating. W = E (squared)/R = 240 x 240 (57600)/14.5 = 3972 watts.This is 2972 watts, almost 300%, higher than the manufacturer's designed safety rating.The amperage drawn by connecting a 120 volt, 1000 watt heater to a 240 volt source will be, I = W/E = 3972/120 = 33 amps.W = watts, I = amperage, R = resistance in ohms and E = voltage.


What current is taken by a heater with a resistance of 24 ohms when connected to 120 volt supply?

I don’t know


Can a 208 volt hot water heater be used with 110 volt with a 20 amp fuse?

Yes, but by using 120 volts on the 208 volt element you will only be able to obtain 1/4 of the rated wattage from the element not 1/2 like it seems you should.


What is the resistance of 450 watts 120 volt heater?

First find the current, I = W/E, 450/120 = 3.75 amps. R = E/I, 120/3.75 = 32 ohms.


How do you use 110 heater to 220 volts supply?

You don't. The heater will operate over its given specified wattage. A 120 volt heater run off of 240 volt will have an output increase. Ohms law stated that current is directly proportional to the applied voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance of the circuit. A 240 volt heater can be run off of 120 volts but the wattage will be reduced. For example if an ordinary 1000 watt baseboard heater's supply is 120 volts, the current of the heater will be, I = W/E 1000/120 = 8.3 amps. The resistance of the heater is R = W/I (squared) =1000/8.3 x 8.3 (69) = 14.5 ohms. Applying 240 volts on the same heater whose resistance is 14.5 ohms results in a new heater wattage rating. W = E (squared)/R = 240 x 240 (57600)/14.5 = 3972 watts. This is 2972 watts, almost 300%, higher than the manufacturer's designed safety rating. The amperage drawn by connecting a 120 volt, 1000 watt heater to a 240 volt source will be, I = W/E = 3972/120 = 33 amps. W = watts, I = amperage, R = resistance in ohms and E = voltage.


What is the amp rating for a 2kw fan heater?

From a 120 Volt supply, the Amp rating is calculated as 2,000 Watts (which is 2kW) divided by 120 Volts = 16.7 Amps.


What are the best type of puck lights to buy and what size?

I recommend 120 volt 20 watt halogen if you are on a budget. If you can afford them 120 volt LED is even better and will last for years.