You may be wondering whether changing your heater’s fuel type is worth the expense and the effort. The answer to this question is that it depends on your particular situation. Gas is usually the more attractive option for residents in colder climates like here in Palatine, IL. However, let’s take a closer look at natural gas versus electricity since these are the two most commonly used fuels.
Cost of Operation
Natural gas costs typically less than electricity when it comes to monthly heating bills. This is especially true in areas that burn coal to provide electricity. This means of producing electricity is rather inefficient compared to natural gas.
In general, this means that operating a home heating system that uses gas is more cost-effective than operating a system that uses electricity. However, if you don’t already use a gas-powered heater, there are other factors that you should consider before going out and purchasing a new system.
Different Kinds of Electrical Heating Systems
Electric radiators or baseboard heaters don’t use ductwork to distribute heat throughout the home. On the other hand, gas furnaces do require ducts to perform this task. Having ductwork installed can be a complicated, costly, and disruptive process.
However, electric furnaces and heat pumps do use ductwork to distribute heat. This makes switching from an electric heater to one powered by natural gas much simpler and far less costly since the infrastructure is already in place.
Take the Time to Evaluate Your Situation
As mentioned above, home heating systems that use natural gas will save you money on your monthly utilities. However, these savings might not be worth the cost of installing a new system, particularly if you don’t have ductwork in your home, to begin with. Take the time to evaluate whether making the switch will be worth it for you.
The experts at Ray’s HVAC can help you to figure out whether or not this is the right move for you. Give us a call at 847-637-5287 to learn more or to set up an appointment.
