Gas Vs. Electric Heat – Why Choose One Over the Other

Do you know why you may choose gas heat over electric heat?

As we head into the fall, it’s time to start thinking about maintaining or replacing your heating equipment. If you’re thinking about replacing an old unit, it’s important that you take some time and figure out which system is going to be best for your home. Do you need a gas furnace? Can you get by with a heat pump? Do you need to invest in a gas pack or a dual-fuel system? There are several options that you will want to keep in mind.

At the core of this decision is whether you need electric heat or gas heat. We’ve discussed the difference before – it really all comes down to which is the cheapest utility in your area. Lately, gas seems to be the more affordable energy choice. However, you may receive many benefits when you choose an electric heating method (like a heat pump) to work alongside a gas furnace.

Let’s dig a little deeper.

As we’ve discussed before, heat pumps have the ability to perform heat transfer – cooling a space in the summer and warming a space in the winter. Heat transfer is the more efficient electric heating method (when compared to heat creation). Heat creation (employed by equipment like back-up heat strips, space heaters, electric furnaces, etc.) consumes more electricity.

If you choose a heat pump over an air conditioner and pair it with a gas furnace, you can cool with electricity, heat with gas AND heat with electricity. Heat pumps today are more efficient and operate better than heat pumps in the past. If you experience weather where you need a little bit of heat, but not he power of a gas furnace, then a heat pump could be the right idea.

Need more advice? Make sure you contact your local heating and cooling expert. They can give you some insight into which type of heating method is used in homes in your area.

Do you have a heat pump or gas furnace? If you have a heat pump, have you noticed utility savings during the fall?

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