Electricity Or Gas?

[Coldicote]

I don't doubt for one moment that gas is important, but my home does not have gas connected. Having got used to being 'all electric' I certainly wouldn't want to change. In any event I understand some gas appliances don't work without electricity. Do others share my views about this and what is your choice?

[Clanad]

At least here in the U.S., almost all gas consuming appliances (limited to cooking stoves your "hob", I think) heating furnaces and hot water heaters require some electrical input for them to work. It's rare to find, for example, the older flame type pilot lights... they're nearly all electrically started when the knob is turned on. Same with the furnaces and hot water heaters. Most home heating units using forced air require electrical power for the distribution fan and thermostat functions.

Thing is, here, at least, probably 65% to 70% of our electricity is produced by coal burning power plants. We have (especially here in the intemountain western U.S.) over 500 years supply of high quality, low sulphur coal deposits that easily mined, hencea fairly low cost fuel. But environmentalists don't like it and the current administration is sympathetic to the voles, hence new regulations for even cleaner burning plants (for which new technology doesn't exist) are being required.

So... long way of saying our heretofore 'cheap' electricity is about to take a significant hike (unless we're able to change the administration in 2 years). But... we also have an overabundance of natural gas and therefore inexpensive. If we can keep the tree-huggers away from that source it will provide relatively cheap source of electrcity as well... it's just going to ake years to convert to that technology.

If I were to build a new home or retrofit an existing all electric home, I'd look closely at the savings to switch to natural gas. I think the savings would be remarkable... all due to our supply of the fuel which may not be available in the U.K.

[Baby_Sham]

We have both, but I would be more than happy living with just electricity.
I can't stand having the central heating on (I swear it gives me headaches), and if it weren't for the kids then it would be permanently off.

[Old_Geezer]

I'm unsure what your views are save that you'd rather not have gas connected. I grew up in a gas free home so there isn't a problem. But I suspect it costs more since you no longer have a heating choice. Personally I have gas for the main heating and electric heaters and an immersion heater in case of problems. Not keen on having all eggs in one basket.

[EcclesCake]

I've read your post several times and I'm still not sure what you are getting at so no I don't share your view.

I have mains gas, and my electricity is a combination of grid and solar.

A satisfying arrangement for me.

[Baldric]

a few years ago, living in deepest, darkest Norfolk, loads of snow on the ground, we lost all electricity, thank goodness we had a gas hob, we stuck a lump of offcut metal over the smallest ring which we left on at almost it's lowest setting, once it was warmed up it acted like a radiator and kept the kitchen/diner nice and warm, OH, myself a dog and cat lived in there for a day or three until electric was restored, the rest of the house was far too cold to use as the cental heating pump packed up when the electric went off.

[Buenchico]

Gas is vastly easier for cooking with. Little things like being able to tell when your oven has reached the required temperature just by listening to it, or knowing that the addition or removal of heat by simply turning a knob will be instantaneous can make all the difference. (That's why hotel and restaurant kitchens always use gas).

It's also considerably cheaper to heat homes with gas.

[Arksided]

Chris, Bull***! that gas is less expensive than electricity to keep the house warm. ok agreed it is better for regulating the temperature for cooking, but for those of us that need gas to keep warm you realize how expensive it actually is but wall heaters (Where I used to live) are much more economical.

[pauln90]

These figures are from Which? They are based on the annual heating and hot water demands of a three bed semi-detached, well insulated home and prices are derived from average fuel bill prices. Published Oct 2013

Wood £510
Electric £870
Non Condensing Gas £730
Condensing Gas £490
Gas LPG £830
Non Condensing Oil £1100
Condensing Oil £740

So maybe Buenchico wasn't talking bull

[Coldicote]

Thanks for your interest. I haven't made comparisons cost-wise, but having storage heaters that heat up overnight at a cheaper rate (Economy 7) seems to me a good arrangement.