Gas Water Heaters, how good are they?

Hi
we are looking at building a granny flat on our property for my parents and
are trying to keep the day to day electricity usage down. The option of going solar still seems to be quite expensive. We are thinking of using the gas water heaters? It will either be just for the kitchen, or if they are cost effective and work well, maybe for the bathroom as well (will have a bath and shower). What I wanted to know is, is anybody using the gas water heaters and how are they finding them? Also is this idea going to be cheaper than a normal electrical geyser, or will it be better to fork out now and put in a solar geyser system. I lived in the U.K. In the late 1990's and they had these gas water heaters and I remeber that it was very difficult to control the water temperature when you had a shower, it would get cold so you crank open the hot water tape then a few seconds later F&$k to hot and so on. I would think that the technology has improved since then but that is what I want to find out. Please let me know what you think and any suggestions are welcome.
P.S. Mght even convert the main house as well!

New houses are all outfitted with a main gass line.

I think gass is great. Not any power wasted during the day like with electricity.


I'm going to buy my gran a gass powered geyser at the end of this month.

Only thing I wonder about is who is going to install it..
Maybe I should do a crash course in plumbing first hehe ^_^

Thats the other problem. With gas you have to have a certified installer do the work or your insurance will not pay if there is ever any problems.

Any feedback?

We're doing some renovations and have a main gas line. Have gone with a gas fireplace. Will be extending the line to the kitchen and get a gas stove (elec oven). And we need a gas geyser for laundry and outside room so going to go with a small gas one there too. Will get a gas grill as well but probably using LPG bottles not the NG.
The gas place must be loving us right now since everything comes from them. Fortunately they price they gave on the fireplace compared to where we were going to get it pretty much covers their installed cost for extending the line to the kitchen and fitting the stove and fireplace. The price on the stove from them was R150 more than hirschs best price so pretty happy there as well.