Gas Heater Vs. Electric Heater: Which Should You Use?

You might be interested in learning which fuel type performs best and costs less if you're building a house or updating your current heating system. Electricity and natural gas are the two fuel types we're investigating in this article. With the help of a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of gas and electric heaters, you can determine which is best for your house.

What distinguishes gas heating from electric heating?

The key distinctions between heating your home with gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), oil, and electricity, though they may seem obvious, are worth mentioning.

The boiler is typically used in gas-based systems (as well as LPG- or oil-based systems) to burn the fuel and heat the water. To heat the house, this water is subsequently circulated through radiators or pipes under the floor. Convection is the process by which the air in your room warms up as the floors or radiators warm up.

The selection of electric heating systems is greater. The term "central heating" refers to the use of a central boiler in modern gas systems, as opposed to the traditional use of individual heating appliances in each room in electric systems. This might be a basic plug-in fan or a warmer for a bar. Alternatively, a more advanced system of energy-efficient off-peak storage heaters.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Gas Heater

Installation

Due to their size and complexity, gas furnaces require skilled installation. They also need a chimney or flue to release combustion-related pollutants. If your house doesn't already have a chimney, you should have one added during installation if it can accommodate one.

Cost

A comparable electric heater costs more to buy and install than a gas heater. But because natural gas is a far more economical fuel than electricity, running a gas furnace is more cost-effective.

Lifespan

With routine maintenance, gas furnaces typically last 10 to 20 years. The lifespan of these is less than that of electric heaters.

Maintenance

When HVAC providers advise clients to get their gas furnaces serviced once a year, they are speaking specifically of gas furnaces. Gas-fired heaters must have yearly maintenance from a qualified technician to function properly for many seasons to come.

Safety

The largest problem with gas heaters is the possibility of a carbon monoxide leak, which, in sufficient quantities, can be dangerous or even lethal. Installed close to the furnace, a carbon monoxide detector aids in warning you of any potential threats. Additionally possible are gas leaks and fires, which you can control with regular maintenance.

Benefits and Drawbacks of An Electric Heater

Installation

Electric heaters that are portable are simple to plug in and use as needed. Wall-mounted electric heaters must be professionally installed, but this task is simple to complete on your own. Due to the lack of a venting system, electric furnace installations are typically quicker, simpler, and less expensive than gas furnace installations.

Cost

An electric heater typically costs less to buy initially than a gas-powered option. However, this sort of heater is more expensive to run on a monthly basis due to the greater cost of electricity.

Lifespan

Electric furnaces that are reliable and quiet can last for 20 to 30 years. Compared to gas furnaces, this has a longer lifespan.

Maintenance

An electric heater can be easily maintained with little effort or technical expertise. The majority of the time, you can undertake maintenance on your own, calling an expert only when the equipment breaks down.

Safety

There is no danger of carbon monoxide or gas leaks because electric heaters don't burn fuel on-site. However, there is always a chance that high-power electrical equipment will break down and catch fire. For a safe home heating choice, do routine maintenance and operate your heater in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to avoid the danger of fire.

Which is more environmentally friendly, gas or electric heating?

When determining your heating needs, price isn't the only thing to take into account. The impact on the environment is another crucial problem.

Fossil fuel is gas. As a result, when it is burned to produce heat, carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the sky. Because of this, the primary source of CO2 in the majority of homes is heating. This is more important than any other CO2-emitting activities, such as flying or driving.

Which is better for you, gas or electric heating?

Each of them has its own advantages. Simple electric heating can cost more to operate even when installation costs are lower. Heat pump systems have higher installation costs, but they might be more cost-effective to use, especially when power is not in high demand.

Your home's heating's effect on the environment is now a significant consideration. It's conceivable that the government may decide to outlaw all fossil fuel heating systems in order to help achieve its Net Zero goals by 2050. And this might open the door for a new generation of effective heat pump systems that eventually heat our houses using electricity from renewable and low-carbon sources.

Conclusion

Compared to gas heaters, electric heaters are less expensive, simpler to install, and do not require a chimney. However, because gas is typically less expensive than electricity and gas heating systems are better at warming up greater spaces, gas heating has lower operating expenses.

If you live in a cold area or have a big house, gas heat is generally your best bet. In these circumstances, higher heating demands enable a gas furnace to offset its higher upfront cost and increased maintenance needs by offering lower operational costs.

For smaller households, those situated in warmer climes, or those without access to natural gas, electric heat may be a better option. In these circumstances, it is highly desired to have cheaper purchase and installation costs as well as lower maintenance requirements.