Gas hot water heaters tend to be less expensive to operate, but because of their complex design, they require more maintenance. Electric water heaters are far more simple than gas water heaters, reducing their maintenance requirements and increasing their reliability. If you have a natural gas connection, a gas water heater may be the best option. If an electric water hater is your only choice, you may want to consider a hybrid or heat pump water heater, which offers better performance than models based on electric resistance coils.