Gas Vs Electric Heater Efficiency

Gas is cheaper than electricity in most cases which makes furnaces more cost effective than electric heat pumps in areas that experience colder temperatures.

Gas vs electric heater efficiency.

Gas fireplaces use between 7 000 and 16 000 btus are between 70 and 90 efficient at converting energy to heat and cost around 60 a year to run. There are some high efficiency gas water heaters that do not require a chimney but use a fan and pipe to vent out via the side of the house. Gas furnace ratings range from 55 to 97 percent. It may have an annual fuel utilization efficiency afue rating as high as 100 percent.

The greatest factors in the variation are the type of unit chosen and the amount of heat lost through a gas furnace s flue or other areas. Gas is a more efficient heating fuel than electricity so if you re using gas you re automatically making the ecologically friendly choice. Electric heat pumps are more energy efficient than gas furnaces and require much less electricity to operate than electric furnaces. Even the lowest efficiency gas furnace you can buy 80 fue costs much less to operate than the most efficient electric furnace you can buy.

Electric water heaters when it comes to water heaters some of the same considerations apply. The financial cost of heating a home with a natural gas furnace is much lower than an electric resistance furnace. An electric heat pump. Assuming an electric heater with 100 percent efficiency homeowners should expect to pay roughly 34 32 per million btus of heat.

Gas water heaters are not 100 efficient and need to vent out gas via a chimney. Natural gas and propane rates are also generally competitive with electricity rates though it s important to note that rates for both gas and electricity are always changing and vary greatly by region. On my site i covered a similar topic with the article comparing gas heaters vs electric heaters where i compared the electric and gas portable heater solution from different angles like safety the type of heat they deliver and heating power. Electric fireplaces have an output that is based on the electric current.

Electric furnaces are typically only better in dry climates with hot or mixed temperatures. An electric furnace is the more efficient of the two. When compared against electric resistance equipment natural gas furnaces are a clear winner. Hope it is helpful.

Gas furnaces are not always more efficient than heat pumps however.