Gas vs Electric Heat: Which Is Better?

There comes a time in every homeowner’s life when a certain question arises and demands to be answered.

The question of what type of heating should one get for their property.

There are many options on the Australian market, but there are exactly 2 that are preferred by the majority of people – gas heating and electric heating. With that being said, how does one decide between the two?

Well, with this article, we are going to help you make your pick.

So, if you are someone who:

You are at the right place!

So, let’s start with…

What you need to know about electric heaters

Electric heating appliances come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, are easily movable, and overall just very convenient. You can get an appliance that can provide heat for a whole room or a single person. This type of heating is generally powered the normal way – by plugging it into the electricity system. With all of this being said, there is a lot more to know about electric heating. Here are the general advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

Cons

What you need to know about gas heaters

Perfect for heating large rooms efficiently, gas heaters, like electric ones, come in different types, shapes, and sizes. Preferred by many Australian homeowners, gas heating systems have both many upsides and downsides. Here is what you need to know about the heating option:

Pros

Cons

• Gas heating is more expensive than other options;
• Installing a gas heating system can burn a hole in your pocket;
• It’s a restricted heating method when it comes to moving the system around your property;
• Gas heating isn’t very safe – a carbon monoxide leak can be very poisonous and even fatal;

Gas vs electric heating: Comparison

Now that we’ve covered the basic advantages of both gas heating and electric heating, it’s time to do a direct comparison between the two. To make things a bit more convenient for you, we’ve created this table that shows you the main characteristics of both heating options.

Is gas cheaper than electricity in Australia?

The answer to this question is a little bit complicated. When it comes to gas vs. electric heating costs, we can conclude the following – electrical appliances are cheap to buy, repair, maintain, etc., but can be costly to run.

Gas heating systems, on the other hand, are less expensive to run but will cost you a lot to install. Also, gas heating requires yearly inspections and maintenance, which can be done only by a certified professional, which also adds to the cost.

It’s also important to note that each household has its specific needs, which can also affect the math. The location, number of rooms, their size, and how many people live in the property are all factors that need to be considered. You can see how this actually reflects on the average electricity and gas prices in Australia here.

Still, while a near neck and neck situation, our final verdict is that gas is cheaper to run.

So, what is the most cost-effective heating for a home?

While the math shows that gas is the far more affordable alternative, many people opt for other methods of heating, which they consider better in terms of utility costs.

For example, a huge number of homeowners swear by reverse cycle air conditioners, while others decide to both take care of Mother Nature and their bank accounts by investing in solar thermal panels to keep their homes warm during the winter months. Also, let’s not forget to mention heat pumps – they are a very popular option among many.

Whatever option you decide on for your property, make sure to take everything we talked about into consideration – what works for a smaller property, probably won’t work for a big one, and vice versa.