Electric vs. gas heating: which is better?

HAVC.com ^ | 7/31/23 | HVAC.com

[DallasBiff]

As we step into the winter months, it’s time to consider your heating options. Whether your home is warmed with electric heat or a gas furnace, you want to know your family will be comfortable when the temperature drops.

Understanding your heating options, like electrification or a hybrid system, supports a comfortable home and manageable energy bill. To help you decide the best way to heat your home, we’ll explain the differences between electric and gas heat, and give a brief introduction to the hybrid dual fuel system.

[oldtech]

I have always had gas heat & never did the gas shut off & leave me cold, whereas the electricity where I live has cut off several times for who knows what reasoning. I think either method would be OK, if our electricity didn’t go off as often as it has & if the cost was comparative. My electric bill stays fairly consistent, while the gas bill goes wild in the winter. I would need to figure it on a yearly basis to see how it actually works out on a yearly basis as gas bill goes way down in the summer. But the electricity goes off too often to suit me. On the other hand, I can’t light the house with gas.

[crusty old prospector]

Gonna be a cold week in the Pineywoods. Snow down by Lufkin/Nacogdoches.

[Thank You Rush]

Interesting....thanks. I’ll give these a look.

There is a gas log fireplace in the living room but we have never used it nor had it checked after we bought the house so I wasn’t going to try that for heat. So many things to think about in maintaining a house, it was never a priority.

[Myrddin]

The house where I grew up in Chula Vista, CA had forced air/nat gas heat. My dad was in the Navy and often on a 6 month cruise, so "fixits" fell to me. During a 3 week cold spell, the house was unusually cold. I checked the heater and discovered it wasn't firing up. The pilot light was out. I attempted a re-light. No joy. I went to the hardware store and purchased a new thermo-couple and verified that it generated power when subjected to heat. Replaced the existing thermo-couple. It still wouldn't light. I pulled the model/manufacturer info off the control valve and called around town. I found ONE valve in stock in National City. Being 13 years of age, my choice of transportation was my bicycle. I pulled the old valve and carted it along. The shop had an exact replacement. I coughed up $35 and transported it back home. I had a good can of gas-safe pipe dope and a bowl of water with Ivory soap to check for leaks after reconnecting. It was gas tight and the pilot lit properly. Back in business. Mom returned home from visiting dad in Hawaii a few days later.

[Chickensoup]

Natural gas is not an option

That’s why we rural folk have propane.

Agree about heat pumps.

Wondering whether I should stick with k1

[ansel12]

Hopefully your fireplace will burn gas without electricity which would be enough for your family to have a warm room but the real concern is making sure that all the cans and liquids in your kitchen don’t freeze and your water pipes don’t freeze, so make sure that enough heat would reach those areas to keep the temps above freezing.

[Myrddin]

My Summer natural gas bill is around $6/month. December to February, $180/month. The Winter water bill is cheap. Summer water bill is high (watering lawns). Winter electricity bill is low. Summer electricity bill is high (airconditioning).

[Organic Panic]

Whichever is cheapest. BTUs are BTUs. However. Natural gas will be available without power.

[Chickensoup]

Even propane
Versus k1?

[Chickensoup]

Post it!

[Chickensoup]

On the other hand, I can’t light the house with gas.

.....

My great grandmother did.

[Chickensoup]

Interesting. Not one person mentioned using k1

Perhaps it is not popular ot available in other areas?

[matt04]

Heat pumps are great as supplemental heat in colder climates.

[matt04]

Heat pumps work fine as supplemental, i.e for A/C and spring and fall or for a small addition.

[ansel12]

Lehman’s sells lighting that uses natural gas or propane.

https://www.lehmans.com/category/gas-lights

[SamAdams76]

I’ve had natural gas in all my homes up to now but recently I rented an apartment in the Boston area as a temporary second home while I look for a permanent retirement home in New Hampshire. That apartment does not have gas so all the appliances are electric. It’s an awful comedown, especially as I do a lot of cooking. The electric stove/oven will never cook as well as gas. Lesson learned.

[AZJeep]

Gas, if you have it available!

[Real Cynic No More]

Heat pumps work by “gathering” the heat from a large volume of the surrounding environment, then “transferring” that heat into a small volume of refrigerant, thus heating up that refrigerant compressing that refrigerant warming it up; then moving that warmed up refrigerant into a blower system from which the fan in the blower system blows cooler air [in the house] across the coils containing the heated up refrigerant, warming up that air and cooling the refrigerant. At very low outside temperatures, there isn’t adequate heat in the outside air to warm the refrigerant, with the “only” heat generated to warm it coming from the compression of the fluid.

[matt04]

I can tolerate a electric oven. However, I hate electric stoves with a passion.

[Texas resident]

True. I live in Hurricane country. I have a gas water heater and cooktop. For the winter, our heater is gas powered and we have gas logs in case the power goes out like in 2021.