If it’s cold outside, it is natural to want to take the edge off the chill and warm up the home to a cozy, comfortable temperature. That’s why a heater of some type can be found in many Australian homes, especially those that really feel the winter chill! With the temperature dropping as we head into winter, it’s essential to consider which fuel is better for heating our homes.
Gas and electricity are the two major ways Australians heat their homes
They rarely switch sides to the other fuel source. The most important thing about your choice of gas heating vs electric heat is the comfortable warmth it delivers.
First, comfort factor –
Do you feel warmer when you sit near your heater? Of course you want to feel warm and not cold. Comfort plays important role. Any option you choose is about the comfort of using that heating system. Most people agree that gas heater is more comfortable. With convection gas heaters, the temperature of heated air being delivered can have both a positive psychological and physical effect on occupant comfort.
Second thing to consider is the economic efficiency –
The information about this point is limited because fuel price per unit of energy is highly dependent on fuel mix and the time of consumption, efficiency of the heating system, and the climate region. Natural gas is cheaper than electricity. Natural gas has a higher utility like function of equipment price, energy price, and energy consumption when compared with electricity. But electrical heating system could be either the most energy-efficient option or the least, depending on whether a high efficiency heat pump or an electric boiler with a resistance heater was used.
There is a difference in air flow temperature supplied by the two types of heaters.
- Heat pumps draw heat from the outdoor air – As outdoor temperatures fall, there is less heat available to transfer to the indoor unit, so the air flow temperature falls. Some heat pumps will eventually turn to electric resistance heating to raise the temperature.
- Gas heaters operate independently from outdoor conditions – The advantages are it supplies a steady, consistent air flow temperature above the comfort threshold, regardless of outdoor temperatures. It heats up cold house faster. Gas heaters do a much better job of supplying heat rapidly in both fueled and portable gas heaters.
Gas heaters typically have a much longer life span. But both types of heaters are energy efficient, especially compared to conventional electric heaters.
So, is gas heat really more comfortable?
Based on the research, it is true. People feel warmer when the air flow produced by their heater is well above body temperature. Gas heaters do this 100% of the time while the research shows that electrical heaters only achieve this 40% of the time.
Many plumbers in Sydney who always help many families installing heating system in every house say that selecting a heater that is too large will cost you extra money and oversizing can be unsafe. Volume of the area, climate zone, walls or ceiling insulation, window coverings and carpeting need to be considered. We suggest you to consult your heating system installation with the professional, because there are more complicated calculations.