How much does it cost to convert Gas Heat to Electric. Furthermore, is Electric heat cheaper than Gas Heat? I am trying to figure this issue out, regarding my new home purchase selections.

I like electric heat as you can seal your house up tight. You cannot do that with gas heat as you have to have air or you'll get CO2 poisoning.

Also if you have gas (propane) you have to rely on them to come and fill up your tank. This can result in a huge bill in the winter if you are not on some kind of budget billing plan.

Also the cost of electric - you can get what they call a whole house rate in some states - meaning that you have an all electric house and qualify for a bit lower electric rate. Some utility companies offer this so check your local provider to see if they do offer this option.

Also with propane heat you have the option of your house catching on fire if the propane is not properly put into the tank at your home. This has happened more than I'd like to think. Also outside tanks have been known to be hit by lightening. Also the price of propane is on the way up now. This is a consideration also.

Propane is okay for BBQ use, but I, for one, would not want it in my home.

You can seal your house tight with gas. The new furnaces use outside air pulled into the furnace by a PVC pipe.

If a storm takes your power lines down your electric furnace will not operate and the cost of electric in most areas is the higher cost of all heating methods.

Propane suppliers have a summer fill special that reduces the cost quite a bit.

With electric heat you have a good possibility of your house catching on fire due to short circuits and burnt wiring at electrical connections. Watch out for aluminum wire.

Electric has many power quality problems. Spikes/low voltage just to name a few.

Electric heat especially heat pumps run a much colder discharge temperature than propane or oil heat. Electric is not near as comfortable.

Everyone has ideas of what is right or wrong with a product but the final judgement is yours.

Well, there is always dual-fuel to consider. A combination of gas and a heat pump. You can pick which one to operate based on temperature outside and utility rates. There is also HRV's and ERV's that can be considered to recovery energy.

And don't forget IAQ (indoor air quality), Humidifiers, air cleaners, charcoal filters etc.

An even multiple smaller units rather than zoning.

Keep it simple-Kudos! Dual fuel is the stuff! (and it isn't much more expensive)

Electric heat is the LEAST efficient of all heat sources.

Your best efficiency is gained by a unit known as a "Water Source Heat Pump". This is basically a unit that extracts heat from the water table (yes, you have to drill a well for it-ideal for new home construction but not easily installed into existing homes). These require a specialist to install and the initial installation costs are much higher than an air-air heat pump system, but after you install it, you won't be nearly as frightened of your electric bill.

The most comfortable title belongs to radiant heating-hands down. Pex tubes buried in the floors with hot water (provided by a boiler) warming the home or radiators provide the most even, comfortable heat possible.

Were it my decision-I would look at Water Source Heat Pumps (or Geothermal as they're sometimes called) OR the dual fuel setup Keepitsimple suggested. Dual fuel is simply a gas furnace with a heat pump system installed on top of it. Then you can program the system to respond based on the outdoor thermostat. If it's 18 degrees outside, the heat pump can't possibly keep you warm, so the furnace will kick in instead.

And use the Honeywell T8000 Vision Pro thermostat and it's corresponding outdoor sensor. Run a separate 18/3 wire for the outdoor sensor (per Honeywell). You can then program the stat to change heat selections based on outdoor temperature! Schweet!

I have a heat pump with electric back up (which is required by the way in ALL heat pumps for the defrost cycle unless you're already dual fuel) and have set my stat to drop out the compressor at 38 degrees and kick over to the electric heat. At 38 degrees, there's not enough heat outdoors to extract efficiently, so why run both?

Check into the Geothermal solutions as well as the radiant stuff-I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at your options.

Good Luck.

((Electric heat is the LEAST efficient of all heat sources.))

Electric heat is 100% efficient. You can check various sources on that statement but
Electric heat cost more per therm/BTU than most all other fuel for heating purposes. That is why most folks use another source besides strait electric resistance heat.

Heat pumps are great and many of the new factory mock up's we test at NKU are two stage variable speed complete with electric driven expansion valves for accuracy. We have recorded 25.3 SEER under less than ideal conditions (5 degrees F ) lap top connect with adjustable programs but being test mules are not for sale yet. Look for them in about 5 years when the price can be justified and all the bugs are worked out. These will definitely not be homeowner friendly. Controls will be locked once set on site after the fine tune.

Twinkie:

CO2 poisoning? Humans exhale CO2, plants breath it, In a solid form it's known as dry ice. It's also used to fight fires. The extra oxygen molecule makes a BIG difference.

CO2 is carbon dioxide

CO is carbon monoxide - an odorlous poisonous gas

Complete combustion is suppused to have by-products of heat, water vapor and carbon dioxide. When things don't go quite right especially if there is not enough air to support cumbustion Carbon Monoxide (CO) is formed. With gas appliances, you should have a cumbustable gas/CO alarm.

You can choke when air is displaces from Carbon dioxide, Helium, Nitrogen and even water, but those are not poisionous. To make my point, too much water and you drown. You can also drink too much water.

Not to hijack the thread, but there IS such A thing as CO2 poisoning, and, it can kill you. However, you can't get it from your gas heater. Perhaps twinkie was thinking about something els when he said CO2.

But there IS such A thing as CO2 poisoning, and, it can kill you.

Yes if you are a diver

Yes if you are a diver[/QUOTE]


Other ways as well...

((Electric heat is the LEAST efficient of all heat sources.))

Ok... after thinking about it, you're absolutely right... I should have said "it's the least COST efficient"... LOL.

At my camp I have every body switched over to electric. It is actually cheaper to heat with electric instead of propane. Heat costs are so variable in the USA that it is hard to give advice on the subject except in general terms.

I live in Metro Wash DC area and last year BG&E passed a *73%* price hike. They said it was to keep up with the market, and that they were losing money.

And they pulled it off.

Public Service Commission? Not in Maryland, I assure you.