Natural gas vs Electric (apartment, how much, houses)

[mdeedub]

We are house shopping and Ive been warned by several people here in California not to buy a house with electric heating because the cost of running it is so much higher than gas. I looked up the cost of electricity in Copell (one of the main areas we are looking) and it seems way cheaper than California. I can’t seem to find the price of gas listed anywhere though.

What I’m looking for is either price quotes from your bills or advice from someone who has experienced gas vs electric.

Thanks!

[lpepping]

I've had electric heat in the past and now have gas. The homes were entirely different (electric 3 story town home ~2600 sq ft vs gas 2 story SFH ~3300 sq ft) but gas has been much cheaper for me. My largest bill was around $100 with gas.

[mdeedub]

Originally Posted by lpepping

I've had electric heat in the past and now have gas. The homes were entirely different (electric 3 story town home ~2600 sq ft vs gas 2 story SFH ~3300 sq ft) but gas has been much cheaper for me. My largest bill was around $100 with gas.

Thanks. Do you remember what your bills were like with electric? I’m wondering how much of a difference it makes.

If it is only slightly different than we would still look at houses with electric heat but if it’s a huge difference we might take them off the table all together.

[lpepping]

Originally Posted by mdeedub

Thanks. Do you remember what your bills were like with electric? I’m wondering how much of a difference it makes.

If it is only slightly different than we would still look at houses with electric heat but if it’s a huge difference we might take them off the table all together.

Highest bills were approximately $500. But I'm sure part of that was due to the town home being older and not as well insulated. But after that experience, I only looked at gas heat homes.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Gas never goes out in a storm. I know people who had no electric heat for 4-5 days in the big ice storm some years ago.

[ChristieP]

But to start a gas heater, and to run the blower, you need electricity. Gas WATER heaters stay on when there’s a power outage. You can also still cook on a gas stove, and run gas logs.

We love gas heat. It’s been years since I lived in an apartment and had electric heat.

[mdeedub]

Ooooo I hadn’t thought about power outages! I know I’d definitely prefer gas heat but I’m trying to decide if we should totally veto homes with electric heat. I’ve never lived in one before.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

But to start a gas heater, and to run the blower, you need electricity. Gas WATER heaters stay on when there’s a power outage. You can also still cook on a gas stove, and run gas logs.

We love gas heat. It’s been years since I lived in an apartment and had electric heat.

Sorry I wasn't clearer, we all have gas fireplaces, stoves, and BBQs. So heat in the room with the fireplace and ability to cook, along with hot water for bathing.

[Johnhw2]

Gas all the way, remember a lot of electricity is produced by burning natural gas in power plants. So by burning the gas for your use you avoid the inefficiencies of the two step process of producing electricity as well as the heat loss associated with use in your home. All processes have some inefficiencies. You skip one of these process steps by using natural gas directly in your home.

[UnfairPark]

I would recommend making sure you have gas for cooking and for one fireplace. 1.Power outages happen. 2. Gas is cheaper. 3. It would be easier to sell the house. 4. Switching to gas is expensive and a hassle. 5. Gas cooks better, you can ask any chef.