May 16, 2014

Electric vs. Natural Gas Heating

Each option has its own benefits, meaning that you need to research your options before making the final decision that is best for both your interests and that of the environment.

Electric Heating

Electric heating tends to provide better control of a building’s temperature. In main, this is because electric heating systems consist of multiple heaters situated in strategic locations throughout the building. Furthermore, electric heating systems tend to take up less room while also being safer than their counterparts because of the lack of a combustion process.

In exchange, electric heating systems cost more to run than natural gas heating, though their superior control can help make up some of the difference. However, they may be better for the environment because their outstanding efficiency means that almost 100 percent of the power is turned into heat.

Natural Gas Heating

Natural gas has become more and more popular in recent years because it is better for the environment than either coal or oil. Since it is made up of methane, it emits less carbon dioxide than either one of its counterparts. However, better than coal and oil does not mean that natural gas is good for the environment, not least because it is both non-renewable and contributes to pollution.

However, natural gas heating is popular because supplies of natural gas are plentiful and simple to transport, making it the economic option for heating a building. At the same time, natural gas heating systems are more expensive to install compared to electric heating systems because of their special infrastructure. Furthermore, leakage in natural gas heating systems pose a serious danger because natural gas is both toxic and inflammable.

In the end, you will have to make your own choice based on your own wants and needs. Electric heating may be friendlier to the environment than natural gas heating, but some may find that the cheap cost of natural gas heating better suited to their budgets.

If you have questions on the heating source in your home, or trying to decide how to build your next home in the most efficient way, let us help and contact us today!