Electric cost in Chattanooga (Kingston: appliances, home, heat pump)

[dmongiello]

how about chattanooga tennessee whats less expensive in a home gas or electric Need an answer asap

[peppermint]

We live in a 2000 sq ft house, and we have both - central heat and air & propane (not gas). We had a very cold winter this year, and our propane averaged $240 a month for Dec, Jan, & Feb. Our electric bill during those months averaged $190 a month. January was the worst, by far. Without the propane, the electric would have been higher and vise versa. Don't know if that helps.

[An Einnseanair]

The TVA has been raising electricity rates for the past few years because of a few teensy weensy mistakes and one uncontrollable environmental issue. Things like the multi-billion dollar Bellefonte write off (http://www.allbusiness.com/utilities/electric-power-generation/485290-1.html - broken link) and Kingston coal ash spill, combined with the severe drought a few years ago (no water for hydro power) have put serious dents in the TVA coffers and they've raised rates accordingly. In spite of this, however, electricity costs in the TVA region are still cheaper than average.

Are you talking heat, or everything? The most efficient home heating/cooling system is geothermal, if you can do this. It's what we will use when we build in a few years. Next is a heat pump with a backup gas furnace. The heat pump (an air conditioner running in reverse) runs during normal temperatures, then the gas furnace kicks in when outside temps fall below a certain point (around freezing). This second one is what we had in Kansas City.

Also, don't underestimate the value of a well-located wood fireplace. Firewood is relatively inexpensive (about $70-$80 for a half-cord), and a nice cheerful fire will greatly reduce the amount of gas you'll have to burn. And if you and your significant other snuggle under a blanket in front of the fire, you may not even need external heat (This only applies to wood; a gas-log fireplace is less efficient than a gas furnace, except for the blanket thing)

If you're also asking about other appliances, then your likely won't get a consensus. Everybody has opinions. My opinions, for example: For cooking, gas is best for the range top (instant on/off, flames spread the heat more evenly over the bottom of the pan), but electric is better for baking (more consistent heat). Gas heats water faster in a central water heater. If you have a large house, you should look into multiple small tank-less water heaters to avoid wasting water while waiting for the hot water to get from the tank to the tap. My wife had never used a gas clothes dryer until we moved here (it came with the house), but swears she'll never go back to electric.

Efficiency aside, gas prices are MUCH more volatile than electric rates. Even if a gas appliance is cheaper now it may not be if we have another spike in gas prices. Then there's the environmental issue. If you believe in the global warming (oops, I mean "climate change") issue, then you'll want electric everything. TVA gets a significant percentage of its power from Nuclear and Hydro generators. It also has several other "green" generators (solar, wind, and geothermal) through its green power switch program. They do burn coal and gas, but not as much coal and gas as most other power producers.

[peppermint]

Originally Posted by jwkilgore

Are you talking heat, or everything? The most efficient home heating/cooling system is geothermal, if you can do this. It's what we will use when we build in a few years.

If we ever build a house, we will utilize geothermal also!