Natural Gas Heating (Greer, Piedmont: houses, water heater, buyers)

[roadpony]

We are house hunting (yay!) and one of the homes at the top of our list has natural gas heating, stove and hot water. I've never used natural gas before. The home is located in Greer, near Riverside High School. I know that Piedmont Natural Gas is the provider. Any comments on gas vs. electric? What are natural gas prices projected to be like over the next few months?

[charlie swords]

We have service through piedmont natural gas with hot water heater, heat for a 2100 sqft house & a gas fireplace and my bills range from $15 in the summer to about $90 in the winter. We also have programmable thermostats which i believe help a little. I dont really have any gas versus electric comments except that the water seems to heat a bit quicker and i imagine a stove would too. Our power bills run about the same range but opposite, higher in the summer and lower in the winter and run stove, central air, washer & dryer and all the usuals.

[ckeegan]

I've always had natural gas heat, but have sold homes with electric as well. I personally prefer natural gas, but I've had some buyers who prefer electric. I truly think it is a personal preference. Here's some info I found through a quick search. NaturalGas.org

I do know that Piedmont Natural Gas just reduced rates by 15% no more than a month ago, so that's good.

I won't go too in depth with this, but when my wife and I built our current home, the builder gave us the option of gas or smooth top stove. My wife wanted smooth cooktop, I wanted gas. She won. Now we both wish we went with gas. Honestly, I have never had someone prefer electric cooking to gas, but I have plenty of people request to only see houses with natural gas cooking. Therefore, depending on how many houses in your new subdivision have gas cooking, it may actually become an asset when you eventually sell your home.

[roadpony]

Thanks, that's really helpful. The home we're looking at is roughly 2,000 sq.ft. so our bills could be similar. It does, however, have a very high ceiling in the great room/dining room. I'm concerned about heating that much volume. I'll ask the seller for a history of utility bills before we submit an offer.

I've always heard that people who cook with gas never go back to electric. I guess an old dog will have to learn a new trick.

[ckeegan]

Originally Posted by roadpony

The home we're looking at is roughly 2,000 sq.ft. so our bills could be similar. It does, however, have a very high ceiling in the great room/dining room. I'm concerned about heating that much volume.

My house is about 2,500sf with 19 foot ceilings in the great room and foyer. My highest gas bill last year was $143, but my house was also built around EnergyStar specs.

[roadpony]

Originally Posted by ckeegan

Here's some info I found through a quick search. NaturalGas.org

Thanks for the link and your other info!

[myrc60]

Natural gas is reportedly cheaper than electric. Though it is normally safe there are a few dangers that natural gas systems need to be monitored for. You will have to have a carbon monoxide detector and know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning; if you smell gas open windows and doors and get out of the house and call the gas company. Do not skip annual furnace and vent inspections. We heated and cooked with gas for 25 years before we bought our current home that is 100% electric. I think we prefer gas but like the ease electric gives us after worrying over co2 poisoning for so long is a welcome relief. I say this after almost becoming a victim of co2 poisoning.

[PhotogGal]

For you people with the winter gas bills just over $100, what do you keep your thermostats set at during the day and during the night? I'm curious as my home has less square footage than yours, I never turned on my gas fireplace and rarely use my gas stove, and I had much higher bills last winter. I have high ceilings and lots of windows and am on a slab.

[ckeegan]

Originally Posted by PhotogGal

For you people with the winter gas bills just over $100, what do you keep your thermostats set at during the day and during the night? I'm curious as my home has less square footage than yours, I never turned on my gas fireplace and rarely use my gas stove, and I had much higher bills last winter. I have high ceilings and lots of windows and am on a slab.

I actually have my thermostats set to 68 when we're home, and 60 when we're not. They're programmable thermostats, so I think that helps, and my wife and I both work full-time.