Price Comparison for Gas & Electric
When choosing heating systems and various appliances for your home, you may want to consider the difference in cost between gas and electric options. Keep in mind that, while national averages serve as a valuable reference, it is important for you to check your state's energy data, as well as previous utility bills for your property in order to create reliable cost estimates, as energy costs vary greatly from state to state. Does this Spark an idea?
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Gas vs. Electric Heating
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In most areas, due to the lower cost of natural gas, gas-powered central heating is cheaper than electric--especially in colder areas where heat must be kept on constantly. However, a key advantage for electric heat is that the homeowner has the ability to selectively heat his house. An electric space heater is plugged into the wall to heat only the enclosed space in which it sits. For circumstances in which only one or two rooms need to be heated, electric space heaters serve as an advantage. Central gas heats the whole home, therefore wasting a lot of energy with unneeded heat.
Ovens and Stovetops
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Gas-powered ovens are less efficient in temperature control and expend a lot of extra heat; for this reason, homeowners may need to invest more in a cooling/ventilation system, depending on the intensity of use, as well as the the type of kitchen they have. However, electric ovens and stovetops take much longer to heat up and to cool down, and in terms of energy costs, gas ovens and stove-tops are more efficient, even when considering running costs of a ventilation system. In terms of ignition, electric is more efficient, for gas ignitions require a pilot light that is constantly running and wasting energy.
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Dryers
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Gas dryers are more expensive to hook up and cost more in the short run; however, due to higher overall efficiency, a gas dryer costs only 15 to 20 cents to dry an average load, whereas an electric dryer may cost up to 40 cents, according to Consumer Energy Center. In order run both gas and electric models, however, some electricity is required to spin the unit.
Water heaters
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For a long time, many homeowners have favored gas-tank water heaters over electric, due to low costs of natural gas. However, with the invention of new "tankless," or "on-demand" heating technology, electric models have reached a level of efficiency that surpasses that of gas, making up for any discrepancies in energy cost.
Maintenance Costs
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Electric appliances are generally more energy efficient, even if they are not more cost efficient. By wasting less energy and omitting less by-products, they are cleaner and smoother running. On a bill-to-bill basis, gas appliances appear to cost less; however, when taking into account true costs after maintenance issues and the need for replacement, some homeowners may find electric-powered appliances to be the better long-run choice.
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References
- Photo Credit oven image by Evgeny Rodionov from Fotolia.com
