Gas vs. Electric Homes: What you need to know

Gas vs. Electric Homes: What you need to know

Gas vs. Electric Homes: What you need to know

Posted on: 29th April, 2022

Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 08:09 am

There are two primary energy sources in any home: gas and electric. When building a new home, you will need to choose how you power your home: with a combination of both gas and electric or solely electricity.

All-electric energy is becoming increasingly popular for sustainable homes, offering a little more versatility, lower costs and increased safety. However, if you have your heart set on stove-top gas cooking, you will need a gas connection.

If you’re considering building a custom home, here’s what you need to know about gas and electric power.

Advantages of electricity

Electricity-only homes are a great option for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint and ongoing costs.

The set-up costs are usually cheaper than the traditional electric and gas combo, and as a general rule of thumb, electric-powered appliances require less energy than those powered by gas (combustion). This means lower electricity bills and no gas bills.

These costs can drop further if you opt to install a solar battery system. A study by Australian company, the Alternative Technology Association, found that by opting for an all-electric home with a 5kW solar PV system, a homeowner would save up to $18,000 more than if they’d chosen a traditional duel-fuel home.

Another benefit of electric homes is the potential for a lower carbon output. Eliminating natural gas (a fossil fuel) and replacing it with renewably sourced electricity will significantly reduce any home’s emissions, especially in colder climates like the ACT.

Finally, the safety features of modern electrical systems are designed to protect families from damage should something go wrong, thereby reducing the risk of an incident in your home.

A handy checklist of items that electricity can be used for in your new home are:

  • Heating
  • Cooling
  • Water Heater
  • Washer and Dryer
  • Lights
  • Refrigerator
  • Electric Oven
  • Dishwasher

Advantages of gas

Natural gas can be a dependable source of energy for many households, as it’s less prone to unplanned outages than grid electricity. However, if you’re investing in solar, this shouldn’t be a concern as your battery-stored electricity will ensure the lights stay on in the case of any outage.

Many people have a preference for gas-powered appliances, especially when it comes to cooking. BBQs can be connected to a natural gas line to ensure you’re never caught short, while gas-powered stovetops can provide a consistent and immediate level of heating for cooking.

Natural gas is also unique in that the cost per unit decreases as your consumption increases, meaning you pay less for natural gas the more you use it. Therefore, connecting as many of your appliances to natural gas could prove cost-effective down the line. Incidentally, it can now be used to power everything from washing machines and underfloor heating to fireplaces and natural gas dryers.

So, when you’re designing your new home, some items that you can consider using gas for are:

  • Heating
  • Gas cook tops
  • Fireplaces
  • Some tumble dryers
  • BBQs

Electricity v gas: Which one should you choose?

So should you choose electricity or gas for your new home? With solar power becoming more popular as a renewable energy source, the best option for a new home is electricity only.

Even if you aren’t at a point of installing solar, opting to go all-electric when you build new means you’ll have all the infrastructure in place when you’re ready to switch. In the meantime, you’ll experience lower bills (with no gas bill at all) and lower set-up costs.

If you’d like to find out which energy source is best for your new home, get in touch with us today to discuss the options.

Please fill the form below and we will get in touch shortly.

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