Life in the tiny little borough of Delta, PA can be a pleasant one. Most of the very small population are homeowners, and being a part of this group comes with several advantages. First, you are building equity in the home with every mortgage payment. Second, you have a place to call home. Third, you can make changes to that home to suit your needs.
However, life in Pennsylvania isn’t always perfect. Utility bills can be a drag on your bank account each month, especially with wildly fluctuating temperatures throughout the year. In winter, temperatures drop drastically, forcing HVAC systems to work much harder so that the environment inside a home is comfortable.
Whether you are looking for a new home or considering upgrades for the current one, understanding the two main heating systems is important. Let’s discuss some of the differences between an electric heating system and a gas heating system for residential properties.
Cost
The cost of electric heating systems and gas heating systems have significant variances. It is generally understood that heating via natural gas is a cheaper option than using electricity. The main reason is that gas is a cheaper resource than electricity, so comparable amounts of these resources for heating will always yield a lower cost to gas-powered homes. However, installation costs are reversed. A gas furnace requires a much larger central machine and vent systems that are costly to install, while electric heaters tend to be cheaper to put in.
Heating Effectiveness
Another big difference between the two heating systems is how effective they are, which also plays a role in the overall cost. Natural gas can produce much more heat than electricity. This makes it better suited for homes that will experience extremely cold temperatures such as winters in Delta, PA. Electricity is often a better heating system for homes that do not require a lot of heat to remain comfortable. The different structures used for electric and gas heating also impact the effectiveness, such as furnaces versus boilers.
Structures
The mechanisms that are involved in either electric or gas heating systems are vastly different. Electric heating usually takes one of two forms; radiation heaters or convection heaters. For gas heating, the options are either a flued heater or a non-flued heater. Homes that use gas also may need to find propane tanks for sale that will be installed out in the yard to provide heating for the home.
Environmental Impact
Though the technology for other fuel sources like electricity is advancing, natural gas is still the king of home-heating systems that have little impact on the environment. Natural gas burns cleaner than wood or electricity, resulting in fewer fumes getting into the air inside and outside the home. As other renewable resources catch up, such as solar and wind energy, this competition could eventually shift.
Improving Efficiency for Heating in Your Home
No matter what type of heating system your house uses, there are ways to improve the efficiency of the building so that you lose less heat in winter and have lower utility bills. `
- Upgrade to more energy-efficient windows
- Check sealants around windows and doors every year and re-apply when necessary
- Keep heavy curtains closed at night to retain heat
- Consider a roof replacement for an old model
- Install a smart thermostat for better temperature control
- Use high-efficiency heating systems
- Check for drafts throughout the home and address any issues found
- Change your air filter if you have a furnace
- Install a heat recovery ventilator
What Does the Future Hold for These Heating Systems?
Knowing what will happen in this industry could help you make a decision when upgrading your home or buying a new one. Electricity relies on the use of fuel to be produced. Currently, fuel can come in the form of coal, natural gas, and petroleum. These resources can harm the environment when consumed to make electricity. However, progress is being made with using other sources of fuel that are more renewable and less harmful to the environment, such as wind and solar energy. As these innovations become more cost-efficient, they can reduce the carbon footprint of homes that rely on electric heating.
For this reason, the future will likely see an increase in electric heating systems. With these components in place, homeowners will be able to adopt newer methods of heating quicker than homes that currently rely on natural gas. While gas is currently a more effective heating measure, especially for residents in the Northeast, electricity may eventually catch up in terms of cost and function thanks to other renewable fuels.
