How To Know What Is More Efficient: Gas Or Electricity
Many things in your house need either gas or electricity to work. If you notice that your bills are getting more and more expensive, and you don’t know why you should consider revising your household energy plan. Not many people know that there are ways to get a better deal than the one offered by their current energy supplier. Here are some things to consider if you’re in doubt if you should switch from electricity to gas or the other way around.
Consult With The Professional
If you want to make sure that you are making the best possible choice, it is always best to find an energy analysis expert in your area and schedule a consultation. Conversion from gas to electric can be expensive, and conversion from electric to gas even more. If your home doesn’t have access to natural gas, you will be facing additional costs. However, if you succeed in finding a good energy plan, there would be no reason for it. Electricity almost always costs more. When choosing between the two options, take your finances into consideration and decide what would work for you better in the long term. When comparing utility plans you have to be aware of many factors that determine if it is gas or electricity that will be the most suitable for your needs. It is best to consider all angles and have insight into the whole picture before making such a decision. Talking to a professional energy analyst will simplify the whole process of comparison for you.
Heating
In the winter, making a home warm and cozy is the main concern for many. Keeping the warmth of the house depends on many factors, like insulation, but mostly on the type of heating source you use. If you don’t choose the right heating device you could easily waste energy and money. You should choose a furnace depending on the size of space you need to heat up and what kind of fuel is the most available to you. Heating bills are less expensive if you use natural gas, but it is more expensive to install than electricity.
Heat Pumps
Not many homes have a heat pump, but those that do praise its efficiency. Heat pumps can also function on gas or electricity. They can both heat up and cool down space. It uses energy from the outside of the home and transfers in on the inside. It can also be used for air conditioning and ventilation. Electrical pumps also need chemicals and coolants like freon to function, which can be harmful to the environment, especially in case it malfunctions. Those kinds of problems don’t exist with gas pumps, however, they are more of a short-term solution.
Water Heating
The majority of homes have hot water tanks, but those that don’t usually use gas boilers. They heat up water on demand. Gas tanks use a pilot light to heat up the water, which is arguably safer than electric tanks. Electric ones have a system based on metal elements submerged in water which heat up and warm it that way, sort of like a kettle. Metal and water are both electricity conductors, and if the boiler malfunctions you could get electrocuted. Gas heaters are quicker, but electric boiler tanks are better and more efficient in the long run.
What Is Safer?
When talking about safety, it is a tie between gas and electric appliances. Any appliance that doesn’t function properly can be a safety hazard. If house installations aren’t in good condition there is always a potential danger. If you prefer gas to electric appliances, you need to make sure that your house has a functioning ventilation system. Carbon monoxide can be deadly and even cause an explosion. Electric appliances have to be in top-notch conditions at all times because faulty wiring is one of the main causes of house fires.
What Is Cheaper?
Conversion from gas to electric can be expensive, and conversion from electric to gas even more. If your home doesn’t have access to natural gas, you will be facing additional costs. However, if you succeed in finding a good energy plan, there would be no reason for it. However, electric bills almost always cost more. When choosing between the two options, take your finances into consideration and decide what would work for you better in the long term.
What Is Better For The Environment?
If you care about your environmental impact (and we hope you do!), you need to consider which option will be less harmful. Both gas and electric heaters release greenhouse gases which are dangerous for the environment. Natural gas is the least harmful, but not everybody has access to it. Switching from electricity to gas will definitely lower your carbon footprint, but it is still pretty harmful, so there are no winners here.
The most important thing is to be aware of the problem and work on finding a good solution. You need to decide on what is the amount you want to spend on it and inform yourself about your possibilities. Never do this on your own. Consult an expert who will be able to tell you all the details and intricacies for deciding on the best energy plan.
