Quartz electrical heaters (more efficient then gas)??

[go_n_low88]

SO I had an argument with a friend the other day about these new Quartz heaters. He was trying to tell me that a Quartz electrical heater is more efficient and cheaper to run then a gas furnace? I think the install is simpler (because no venting is required) but once everything is installed I don't think the daily running costs on the Quartz heaters would be cheaper then the gas furnace.

Comments/ Ideas??

 

[Stuart in MN]

Efficiency and cost of operation are two different things...electric heat is nearly 100% efficient, but in most parts of the country it costs more to operate than natural gas.

You have to look at the output of the respective heaters, along with the cost per unit from the utility, and then do some math to figure out the respective operating costs.

 

[73Chevy]

Efficiency and cost of operation are two different things...electric heat is nearly 100% efficient, but in most parts of the country it costs more to operate than natural gas.

Bingo. All electric heaters have the same efficiency. Electricity usually cost way, way more than gas as a heat source.

 

[MikeLawrence]

Above is the correct answer. Just wanted to point out that from a price stand point electric resistance is just about as bad as you can get. When people say that electric can compete with gas (or beat it) they are pretty well universally talking about heat pumps.

Michael Lawrence, Lissco