Electric vs Gas
Electric vs Gas
(OP)
I currently have a central air unit. I'm looking to add forced heat now and get rid of these old leaky radiators. I've gotten quotes on gas and eletric. The electric guy mention a unit outside can only go up to 30 degrees fh and then a blower gets installed in my inside unit. Prices are a big difference but the way gas prices are going up maybe heat would be better. Any one have any pros or cons on this?





RE: Electric vs Gas
Electric heat is 100% efficient, but frequently more expensive per kW of heat. Again, in my neck of the woods it costs ~3X as much money to heat with electricity as natural gas.
No chimney on electric units, or combustion air...
RE: Electric vs Gas
You may also want to look at your building envelope. If the envelope is leaky like your radiators, you may need to ensure you have heat at the perimeter. (electric baseboards to provide trim space heating possibly)
RE: Electric vs Gas
A heat pump can save a lot of coin in operation costs, but needs to run for a good chunk of the season to be worth it.
In any kind of cold winter climate, you will be running electric heat all winter. In moderate climates, a heat pump will run all winter without needing electric heat.
Look at what your neighbors are doing. If you see PVC pipes steaming away, this is a concensus to high efficiency furnaces.
RE: Electric vs Gas
RE: Electric vs Gas
You can also get a low temperature heat pump. See http://www.gotohallowell.com/acadia.html which will operate down to -30 deg. F and put out 30,000 btu/h at that temperature.
Remember that the heat pump COP number will give you the advantage over electric resistance heat. i.e. if the heat pump has a COP of 2 at -10 deg. F then it will be half as expensive to heat with the heat pump as with electric resistance heat.
RE: Electric vs Gas
In some parts of the world you can use electric heat with off peak storage heaters. By agreement with the local utility company, The resistance heater draws and stores heat at times when rates are low, then uses a blower to deliver the heat when needed.
The system requires a time switch or remote control switch and a dedicated meter, all controlled by the utility co.
B.E.