When it comes to heating your home, you will have two basic options. Do you want to heat your home with gas or with electricity? Both options have their own benefits and downsides. With gas heat, unless you are supplied by a city gas line to your property, you will want to be sure you have a reserve of gas in your tank so you don’t run out before the gas man comes. An electric heating system, if not monitored closely, can have a serious effect on your light bill. This article will provide you with a few reasons as to why gas heat is the better choice.

Reliability

Think about the last winter storm you were involved in and whether there was a power outage. How long did you have to go without power? If you have an electric heating system and no power, you have no heat. A gasoline heating system has the ability to heat your home regardless of whether the power is out or not. Gas heat is also less harmful to the environment since its byproducts are mostly made up of water vapor and a small amount of carbon dioxide.

Affordability

If you have ever lived in a home with electric heat, you know that during the winter months your bill will skyrocket. Since it is not needed during the summer, you probably don’t realize how much an electric heating system is really costing you. It is much cheaper to run a gas system. In fact, gas heaters typically have the highest efficiency rating, which means that they do not use much energy at all. You will have to pay a city gas bill or the gas company when they fill your tank, but it is usually much more affordable than the electric option.

Convenience

The only concern with gas heating is that gas is flammable. You will want to have your gas lines tested regularly for gas leaks that can ignite and cause extensive damage. Gas heat is great for people that like to travel or go on lots of business trips. If you will not be home for a period of time, you simply turn the heat off and you won’t use any gas.

Gas heating is obviously the smarter choice because it is not only better for the environment, but better for your wallet as well. Contact a heating professional at a business like Bishop Plumbing, Heating and Cooling if you have questions about costs or the installation process.