Electric vs Gas

[amor1210]

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?

 

[ChrisConley]

Depends on where exactly you are in the world. Where I am, a signficant portion of our electricity is produced by burning natural gas... so rising gas prices tend to cause increases in electricity rates.

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...

 

[walkes]

I agree with Chris, I'm nearby and my electric rates are almost on par with gas. (Hydro electric power generation). I depends on rates where you are.

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)

 

[KiwiMace]

If you are deciding between a heat pump and an NG furnace, the key to making the decision is in the swing seasons. Get temp data for your region.

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.

 

[imok2]

I love heat pumps as long as the winters don't drop much lower then 30*F and the house is reasonably well insulated, below that I would go for nat gas with hi efficiency burner

 

[gepman]

I believe that Trane makes a heat pump/gas fired unit. At least they do for package units so you could get both. I would assume that they would have the same type in a split system.

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.

 

[berkshire]

amor1210 (Computer)
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.