Is A Gas Fireplace Cheaper Than Electric Heat

An electric heat pump produces heat below the temperature of your body while a propane gas furnace keeps the air at a temperature of approximately 140 degrees fahrenheit operating in short intervals so that it doesn t boost operating.

Is a gas fireplace cheaper than electric heat.

The actual amount of heat that gets to you can t be measured by a manufacturer for a gas furnace system because it is different for every house depending on factors like amount of ductwork and the house s insulation. Additionally a gas furnace will heat the home faster because the heat produced is hotter than the heat produced by electric coils. However for a gas fireplace the actual amount of heat can be measured because it delivers heat directly into your home. Throwing out the wacky utility markets of ak and ca the 9 states with lower gas than electricity heating costs had only a 6 7 average advantage in fuel costs.

A 20 000 btu gas fireplace will cost more than any electric fireplace to run for one hour but the gas one will heat up a 900 sq ft space in an hour while the electric one may not heat more than 200 sq ft. This and the cheaper cost of natural gas make gas heat a better option for colder climates. Only 11 states appear to have gas cheaper than electricity using 82 ng furnace and 250 ductless heat pump. Gas fireplaces use between 7 000 and 16 000 btus are between 70 and 90 efficient at converting energy to heat and cost around 60 a year to run.

When it comes to energy efficiency you may find a wide range depending on size and model. Another advantage is the ability to turn the stove or fireplace s burners down and sip gas to keep the temperature. Warmth another point where electric heat and propane differ dramatically is the warmth that they offer. Gas is cheaper than electricity in most cases which makes furnaces more cost effective than electric heat pumps in areas that experience colder temperatures.

But what do the numbers say. Myth 4 gas furnaces are always more efficient than heat pumps. You can t compare efficiency between electric and gas fireplaces without stating the heat output of each fireplace you re comparing. Gas furnaces are not always more efficient than heat pumps however.

Information from the executive office of energy and environmental affairs about last winter s projected home heating costs shows lower costs were expected for electric heating rather than natural gas. Also much of the heat produced by a stove or fireplace is radiant heat which is absorbed directly by the body and warms it much faster than the convected heated air heat produced by a forced air furnace.