What is the difference between the heat sources for a house? (Knoxville: buying a house, heat pump)

[Mrs.Bewitched]

Right now, in FL, if we have to turn on our heat, it is electric, through our central air system.

What would I want to look for in buying a house in TN, regarding heat source?

[JMT]

When my family first moved to Tennessee from Florida we had central air, too, but it was miserable in the winter. We were never completely warm, yet the electric bills were ridiculously high. Then we built a log house and had just a wood stove for heat. That little wood stove kept our entire house toasty warm, but chopping wood got old in a hurry.

I would highly recommend central heat with a gas furnace. The air comes out of the vents nice and warm; you can actually warm your hands over the vents. It's supposed to get down to 15 degrees tonight here in Knoxville, and I am sooo glad I've got gas heat!

[Dd714]

Gas heating is most common and probably the most economical. Electric heat pumps, where electricity is cheap thanks to EVA sources, are common in the NE part of the state and are very effecient except when temps get in the 20's or below. Electric furnaces alone can get very expensive.

Wood stoves work very well, many houses have them in the basement and you can use them in conjunction with your gas and electric heating.

You have other sources as well for people that live out in the country - kerosine, LP gas, etc. but most homes hook up to the local gas utility.

[WoodSmokeKills]

Electricity is so inpexpensive in Tennessee that it is the only way to heat! It doesn't pollute the air or harm health and is the most efficent per BTU generated when compared to any other method!