When Colorado temperatures dip, having the right heating system installed in your home is important. Gas and electric heating systems are both options with unique benefits. However, the best choice for your residence depends on a variety of factors, including availability, environmental considerations, energy efficiency, and cost. Use this guide to learn some pros and cons of each option before assessing the needs of your home and requirements specific to the state of Colorado in terms of energy and climate.
Understanding the Fundamentals of Heating Systems
Before getting into too many details about gas and electric heating, you should know the basics of each kind. While they both serve the same purpose, both have particular features and performance characteristics, making them more effective in certain scenarios.
Electric systems turn electrical energy into the heat that keeps your family or household safe and comfortable when it’s too cold outside. The underlying technology can vary, but common choices include heat pumps and resistive heating. Specific installations can include electric furnaces, ductless mini-splits, or baseboard heaters.
Gas systems burn propane or natural gas to generate heat. Common installations include radiant heating systems, boilers, or gas furnaces.
Knowing the Pros and Cons
Understanding the basic heating principle behind each option is a good starting point, but the pros and cons are what start directing you towards one or the other for your home.
Electric Heating
Electric heating is energy-efficient, easy to install, and environmentally friendly, and zoned heating is sometimes possible. Heat pumps are incredibly efficient, and many of them can operate sufficiently in cold climates. Electric heating doesn’t need ventilation or gas lines, so installation is usually less expensive and simpler. Renewable energy sources minimize carbon footprint when available. Ductless mini-splits and other select systems can establish targeted heating in particular areas of residential homes for rooms that get colder than others or just get used more often.
However, electric heating isn’t perfect. You may be subject to higher operating rates if you live in a part of Colorado where electricity costs more than natural gas, which is common but not omnipresent. Older electric systems have a reputation for struggling to generate enough heat when the temperatures are frigid, although modern heat pumps are better about this than they used to be in sub-zero conditions. Any electric heating system is going to rely on the power being on; should an outage occur, you’ll be without heat unless a solar battery or generator can provide power.
Gas Heating
Gas heating might feature lower operating costs, better reliability, and a longer unit lifespan. Natural gas is commonly cheaper than electricity, particularly during Colorado winters. Gas systems are proven to be effective in extremely cold situations, and that can make them ideal options for the mountain regions of the state. Gas boilers and furnaces are durable when regularly cared for and can last 15 to 20 years.
For their benefits, gas heating systems have some potential downsides to know. Higher installation costs can happen if your home needs a gas line installed or other upgrades to existing standards. If you’re concerned about the environment, you need to know that burning natural gas will contribute to the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. Safety risks can also be a concern; systems without proper maintenance might have carbon monoxide issues or gas leaks, among other potential hazards.
Colorado Considerations
Deciding between gas and electric heating in Colorado involves weighing multiple factors to ascertain the best fit for your household. Altitude impacts climate across the state. The mountainous parts of the state have harsher winters that need consistent heating, and gas systems are more popular as reliable options. Homes along the Front Range corridor, including Denver, and residences across the flatter eastern half of the state tend to have milder weather. Modern electric systems can prove beneficial in these places.
Be honest with yourself about how much energy efficiency matters to you, but also be aware that both kinds of heating can be very efficient. Electric systems are incredibly energy-efficient, especially heat pumps that extract heat efficiently even when temperatures are below zero. Gas furnaces can be very efficient but still lose energy through their exhaust, but high-efficiency systems minimize the loss.
Cost considerations have to cover both installation expenses and operational costs. However, the state has renewable energy programs that can offset costs; it’s worth researching the incentives available at your address. While the state has a history of lower natural gas prices relative to electric rates, Colorado is transitioning to using more renewable energy. Heat pumps are among the energy-efficient systems that might qualify for a variety of tax credits and rebates.
Installation costs are frequently lower for electric heating systems, particularly for homes without gas lines. Gas heating can cost more to install if you need a fuel line put into place. On the other hand, the operational costs are frequently reversed. Electric systems can cost more to keep going over the course of a cold winter, whereas natural gas could result in more affordable heating bills.
Electric heating systems can be powered by solar, wind, or other renewable energy sources to substantially reduce the carbon footprint of your household, and the state has been pushing towards renewable energy for some time. Gas heating using natural gas results in greenhouse emissions, but technological advancements have improved efficiency to reduce the impact.
Industry expertise can provide you with information and options you might not be aware of or at least give you a sounding board and second opinion. Have a licensed HVAC professional assess your residence and suggest the best options based on both Colorado’s climate and your household’s needs.
Making the Transition
If you’re switching your home from electric to gas heating or the other way around, you need to consider several things. First, retrofitting costs might involve upgrading the electrical system of your home or adding gas lines; these costs can add up. Second, incentives in the form of tax credits or rebates might help you afford energy-efficient upgrades. Long-term savings might also be possible with a heating system that has low long-term lifecycle costs.
Weigh the Factors
Picking between gas or electric heating in Denver or anywhere in Colorado means knowing the factors that apply and then weighing them appropriately, including your region’s climate, environmental priorities, and budget. Both gas and electric heating options have their own benefits, and technological advancements have helped make electric heating a viable option, even in cold climates. Knowing your home’s needs and the available incentives empowers you to make the right choice for a warm, energy-efficient home during Colorado’s winter.
Regardless of the system you pick, professional heating installation and regular maintenance are essential to safety and effective performance. Stay comfortable and warm while enjoying Colorado’s uniquely beautiful seasons. Premier Heating and Air provides residents in the Denver metropolitan area of Colorado with HVAC services, including indoor air quality and heat pump options. Contact Premier Heating and Air when you need heat pump or furnace services.
