Need to know which is cheaper: Gas vs. electric heater cost? Our Shreveport heating technicians cover heating costs.
The cost of electricity versus natural gas heating can vary depending on several factors, such as the cost of the energy source in the area, the efficiency of the home heating system, and the amount of energy used. In general, natural gas heating is typically less expensive compared to electric heating.
For natural gas to be less expensive, though, several factors must be considered, like the cost of natural gas being lower than the cost of electricity in the area. The price of natural gas is also determined by supply and demand; maybe the area is limited in access to natural gas. The efficiency of the home’s heating system is also a factor in the electric heating or gas costs. A newer, more efficient electric heating system may save a homeowner money compared to an older natural gas system.
In order to determine the better-priced option for the area in which you live, it’s essential to compare electricity prices to natural gas prices for that area. It’s also important to perform routine maintenance on your home heating system to ensure it works properly and energy efficiently.
In most scenarios, you will need to convert BTU to kWh, like how many kWH a 10,000 BTU air conditioning unit uses every hour. You’ll need to convert the BTU into kWh to find this out. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, and kWh stands for kilowatt hour. The BTU is a unit of heat or cooling that measures the amount of heat or cool energy it takes to heat up or cool 1 pound of water by one degree.
The kWh is a unit of electrical energy and measures the electricity required to run a 1,000 W (1kW) device for 1 hour. One BTU is equal to 0.000293 kWh which means that 3,412 BTU is equal to 1 kWh. To convert kWh from BTU, you must multiply the BTUs by 0.000239.
The cost of electricity to heat homes during the 2022-2023 winter season saw a price increase of around 10%. This price increase still puts the cost of natural gas to heat homes lower than electricity. Even though electricity is a more stable form of energy, natural gas is still the largest energy generator throughout the United States which is why electricity costs more. Homes that use oil furnaces or electric furnaces will spend more on their energy bills in comparison to the cold climate heat pump.
Electric heating is not very energy efficient because it requires a lot of energy to heat the home. However, electricity is the cleanest form of energy. Natural gas heating fills the air with pollutants. Now electric heat is more expensive is not always the case. Electricity might be less expensive than natural gas in certain areas, like those with warmer climates.
In the United States, homeowners will average around $838 a year in electric heating costs. However, this amount could be more or less depending on where you live. For example, if you live in a warmer climate, your electric heating costs could be less than $300. Colder climates and larger homes with electric heating systems could cost upwards of thousands of dollars.
The majority of homeowners that heat their homes with electric heat have an electric furnace, although there are other electric heating systems options like ductless mini splits or heat pumps. Compared to combustion heating, electricity is superior, using 100% of electricity to produce heat compared to combustion heat systems like heating oil which are only 90% efficient.
Natural gas did have an increase during the winter of 2022-2023 of around 28%. Despite the increase, the cost of natural gas heating still remained below that of electric heating. This increase was due to natural gas prices going up and natural gas consumption. The cost of natural gas fluctuates more than electricity because the cost of natural gas is dependent on several factors – what state you live in, the year, and the month.
Even though natural gas has increased recently, it’s still the cheaper option to heat your home. Depending on where you live will determine how much your natural gas costs will be monthly. The consensus is that, on average, heating your home can save you thousands compared to using electric heat. The only downside is that gas heating is less efficient than electric. A gas furnace is only 70% to 90% energy efficient.
In order to determine whether your heating system is natural gas or electric heat, you should be able to look at your heating system or boiler. Gas heaters work by burning fuel, so there should be a visible flame, also known as the pilot light. The flame can be seen through a window on the heating unit. In comparison, electric heaters don’t have a flame or window. Other ways to determine your heating unit type are by checking for gas lines, looking up your heating system online, reading the labels on the heating system, or asking an HVAC tech during a maintenance call.
On average, homeowners will pay 63% less when using gas heat than electric heat. While this is currently the case, natural gas costs can be unpredictable with extenuating circumstances like geopolitical issues, supply, and refinery expansions that can affect the price of natural gas in the future. So while it is cheaper to heat your home, that may not always be the case. While it’s not the more affordable option, electric heat is the more stable form of energy and is not affected by any outside factors. A downside to heating your home with the less expensive option is poor air quality. Natural gas is a form of combustion heating, and particles, allergens, and other irritants are released into the air when heating your home with natural gas.
We provide more information on heat pumps vs. furnaces and heat pumps vs. straight cool systems in our other blog post.
Whether you have an electric or natural gas heating system, the experts at Pioneer Comfort Systems can help you with all your heating needs. For over 60 years, we’ve been providing both heating and air conditioning services to Shreveport area residents. Whether it’s time for a routine maintenance check, repair, or new installation, Pioneer Comfort Systems has you covered. Call us today to schedule your heating service appointment at (318) 378-5729.
Choosing between gas and electricity to heat your home can be a confusing decision. Read more to find out the pros and cons to each when making the decision for your home. As you head into the fall and winter months of the year, use this as a guide to figure out whether gas or electricity is the best option for your family.
Whether you are in the market for a new home or are looking to renovate your current house, energy efficiency, long term cost savings, and positive environmental impact are often things people consider when making this large investment. For instance, when deciding if you want to invest in natural gas or electric appliances for your home, it is important to research which is safer and more affordable. Maybe you’ve always wanted a gas stove or an electric fireplace, but make sure you keep in mind which source consumes the least amount of energy when purchasing these appliances, thus keeping your utility costs low. This will be particularly impactful in the cold winter and hot summer months when you are manually heating and cooling your home on a regular basis. Read below to compare gas vs. electric appliances and find out which energy source will offer the most effective cost savings.
Comparing Gas vs. Electric Appliances
While most common household appliances can run on electricity or gas, your home itself can’t run exclusively on natural gas or propane. Natural gas can power the furnace, oven, range, clothes dryer, and water heater, but only electricity can power electronics, lights, air conditioner, and other electronic appliances. That being said, homes rely on all electric or a combination of electricity and gas as their energy source. Learn about which energy set up for your home will result in long-term cost savings, as well as how much it costs to convert your home’s energy source from all electric to gas and electricity.
Which is Cheaper: Gas or Electric?
On the surface level, natural gas is much cheaper than electric when it comes to powering gas-compatible appliances. Not only is gas more efficient heating fuel than electricity and better for the environment, but natural gas and propane rates are generally lower or competitive with electricity rates, particularly in gas-rich states, pending the status of the market and what region you’re in. To get a better understanding of the cost implications of selecting electric or gas appliances in your area, research rate information from your local utilities or energy retailers, which will be quite varied and competitive if you live in a state with deregulated energy or natural gas. While choosing to go with gas appliances can result in major cost savings on your monthly energy costs, there is a lot more money on the line than just utility costs, as the cost of converting from all electric to electric and gas can be quite the expensive up-front cost. At the end of the day, yes, gas is cheaper than electricity when it comes to operating costs, but the investment in conversion and appliances might take many years to recoup.
The Cost of Converting From All Electric to a Combination of Gas and Electric
If you wish to convert your home from all electric to a combination of electric and gas with hopes of long-term savings on your energy bill, prepare yourself for some potentially steep up front costs. This can range from at least several hundred to a few thousand dollars based on what type of large installations are necessary for your home, so make sure you collect a few different estimates before making the switch. During the switch, new gas lines may have to be rerouted and installed, which could involve digging in your lawn and cutting holes in your walls. On the flip side, if natural gas is unavailable to your home, installing a propane tank can also be a significant expense. As these upfront costs have the potential to be so high, and it may take several years to recoup the cost of installing new gas lines and buying gas appliances, you should seriously consider if having a better impact on the environment, saving some money on your electric costs each month, and having an open-flame burner on your stove is worth the hefty investment.
Is Gas or Electricity the Best Option for Your Home?
While there are many reasons that people prefer gas or electric systems in their homes, one factor that often influences this decision is the heating and cooling requirements of the home. The area in which you live in can be a huge help when deciding between gas and electric systems for your home. Make sure you consider the region you live in and the typical weather for summer and winter, along with how cool or warm you like to keep your home. Electricity is a good option for people who are on a tighter budget and may not use as much heat, while gas is very efficient for homes in cold places and require more heat. At the end of the day, having safe appliances is the most important thing for your home, and while gas and electric appliances have their pros and cons, both are suitable energy sources for your home.