All the houses have electric stoves. What gives? (West, Howe: established neighborhood, buyers)

[Bowie]

Gas ranges are more expensive than electric and running gas lines to the kitchen is an extra cost. Builders are very bottom-line oriented, so my guess is that the builders are keeping costs down by going only with electric.

Maybe there are buyers who will rule out buying a home because of a gas range?

I've heard that CPS is subsidizing the construction of power plants with its gas rates, while the electricity rates are being kept artificially low. Cooking with electricity may be a cheaper option for CPS customers.

[SnappyBob]

Originally Posted by Bowie

Gas ranges are more expensive than electric and running gas lines to the kitchen is an extra cost. Builders are very bottom-line oriented, so my guess is that the builders are keeping costs down by going only with electric.

Maybe there are buyers who will rule out buying a home because of a gas range?

I've heard that CPS is subsidizing the construction of power plants with its gas rates, while the electricity rates are being kept artificially low. Cooking with electricity may be a cheaper option for CPS customers.

Artificial things tend to not last very long. Even if I didn't have any gas appliances now I would still want the option to switch to gas if I wanted to. It seems odd that the "upscale" neighborhoods don't even have dual fuel houses.

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by SnappyBob

Artificial things tend to not last very long. Even if I didn't have any gas appliances now I would still want the option to switch to gas if I wanted to. It seems odd that the "upscale" neighborhoods don't even have dual fuel houses.

I don't know, but my artificial Christmas tree never seems to die! Just sayin'. Same goes for synthetic (artificial) oil.

[dvlpr]

Gas is almost always available to service a subdivision, and CPS (and other companies) do try and encourage its use. But very few homebuilders want it. Using only electricity is much cheaper (for both the developer and the homebuilder), and very few people buying homes in new subdivisions demand it.

There you go.

Of course, every true cook knows it's impossible to cook great food without a gas range.

[banker]

Originally Posted by jules07

Well, I complain all the time about my "old" (about 30 years) house and it's lack of energy efficiency, but I guess I should be thankful that we at least have gas plumbed to the stove.

dweej ~ if a gas stove is important to you, I'd think that by looking into some of the older, "established" neighborhoods, you'd have better luck.

We live in a new home (built 2008) and have a gas cook top. The builder gave us a choice in the kitchen. We also have a gas dryer, water heater and furnace. The builder offered a gas line to the back porch for the grill but we didn't do that. We regret it now. Gas is so much better than all electric - especially for cooking.

[firstclassflyer]

Yeah...most of us are the mac-n-cheese and hot dog type.... No top notch stove needed.

[banker]

Originally Posted by Bowie

Gas ranges are more expensive than electric and running gas lines to the kitchen is an extra cost. Builders are very bottom-line oriented, so my guess is that the builders are keeping costs down by going only with electric.

Maybe there are buyers who will rule out buying a home because of a gas range?

I've heard that CPS is subsidizing the construction of power plants with its gas rates, while the electricity rates are being kept artificially low. Cooking with electricity may be a cheaper option for CPS customers.

This may be true for some builders. My builder had standard gas connections in the kitchen and laundry room - then you have the choice when building if you want gas or electric appliances. Even if you don't go gas at the time of build - you still have the plumbing there and can upgrade later. The only gas option was running a line to the back porch...which we didn't do.

So some may cut this corner during construction but not all builders do. And some builders may differ based on the subdivision. If building I would definitely inquire about it up front.

[rd2007]

natural gas is traded on the NYMEX, electricity isn't. I'll stick with stability and lower prices.

[TexandCajun]

We have a new build w/ a gas stove so .....

[SnappyBob]

Originally Posted by rd2007

natural gas is traded on the NYMEX, electricity isn't. I'll stick with stability and lower prices.

Coal is traded and that's what we use around here to make electricty.