Community Chat

[Kachina624]

On 11/30/2014 brii said: I'm converting my fireplace to gas. That's my next project. I have no idea what's involved. I want to put a smokeless fireplace in the bedroom. I want the glass stones in the bottom.

I had a gas line run to my fireplace so I could have gas logs 15 years ago when I bought my house. They ran the line from the water heater which is in a closet in the middle of the house, and maybe 30 to 40 ft from the fireplace. They ran the pipe through the attic. Down the outside wall and into the fireplace. It cost about $600. I haven't even used the fireplace for 3 or 4 years. I got one of the Duraflame stoves and like the "flames" in it just as well. If I had to do it again, I'd just buy an electric insert for my fireplace.

LOL. Sitting here laughing. I just noticed spell check wrote "I had gasoline run to my fireplace". You all would think I lost my mind.

[misspammie]

good one, Kachina

[faeriemoon]

I have an electric stove and oven but would love a gas stove with an electric oven. Unfortunately, there is no gas line where I am, and I don't want to use propane.

[inallsincerity]

I just bought another house, and was researching the same. This is my understanding: Gas heating is cheaper than electric heating, unless you have an electric heat pump instead. Also, radiant heating is more efficient than forced air heat, but then you don't have duct work unless you get a high velocity system, which isn't really very good yet. Also, electric heat is better for baking because the temperature is easier to control and maintain, but gas is better for a stove top. However, an induction cook top is a nice alternative in an all electric house. If you have an all electric house, solar is an option, but currently it takes a long time to see a return on your investment.

[JustJazzmom]

On 12/4/2014 inallsincerity said:

I just bought another house, and was researching the same. This is my understanding: Gas heating is cheaper than electric heating, unless you have an electric heat pump instead. Also, radiant heating is more efficient than forced air heat, but then you don't have duct work unless you get a high velocity system, which isn't really very good yet. Also, electric heat is better for baking because the temperature is easier to control and maintain, but gas is better for a stove top. However, an induction cook top is a nice alternative in an all electric house. If you have an all electric house, solar is an option, but currently it takes a long time to see a return on your investment.

It was pointed out to me that because solar panels go directly over shingles, that the moisture gets trapped below the panels from rainfall and could cause your 30 year roof to become a 20 year roof due to the deterioration of the shingles with that constant moisture over it. Also those solar panels would need to be removed to replace the shingles -- which also increases the cost of maintenance on this type of heating.

I would hope new technology would incorporate shingles and solar panels together as one unit-- but that is something I would have to research-- if I was interested in that.

[inallsincerity]

On 12/4/2014 JustJazzmom said:

On 12/4/2014 inallsincerity said:

I just bought another house, and was researching the same. This is my understanding: Gas heating is cheaper than electric heating, unless you have an electric heat pump instead. Also, radiant heating is more efficient than forced air heat, but then you don't have duct work unless you get a high velocity system, which isn't really very good yet. Also, electric heat is better for baking because the temperature is easier to control and maintain, but gas is better for a stove top. However, an induction cook top is a nice alternative in an all electric house. If you have an all electric house, solar is an option, but currently it takes a long time to see a return on your investment.

It was pointed out to me that because solar panels go directly over shingles, that the moisture gets trapped below the panels from rainfall and could cause your 30 year roof to become a 20 year roof due to the deterioration of the shingles with that constant moisture over it. Also those solar panels would need to be removed to replace the shingles -- which also increases the cost of maintenance on this type of heating.

I would home new technology would incorporate shingles and solar panels together as one unit-- but that is something I would have to research-- if I was interested in that.

Mmmm. Interesting. I didn't know any of that. I wonder if the problem would be greater/lesser with my metal roof?

[JustJazzmom]

Inallsincerity said:
Mmmm. Interesting. I didn't know any of that. I wonder if the problem would be greater/lesser with my metal roof?

I don't know the answer to that one. I would research it and ask any solar panel companies that are installing the panels that question.

[Qwackertoo]

We wouldn't know what to do with a 30 year roof that really lasted 30 years. Due to straight wind / tornado damage . . . we're on our 3rd roof in 20 years, original, and new twice. Tornado Alley . . . such is the life of a roof . . . a usually short one.

[BeckiWV]

We have gas heat and an electric cook stove. I have had gas cook stoves before but I do like the electric much better.

We got a new gas heating system last year and it's way more efficient than the old one and a lot cheaper to run too. The repairmen said the (very) old one had several holes in the piping and if we hadn't replaced it, one day we might not have woken up.

Honestly, I'm a little bit afraid of both gas and electric and try not to spend too much time thinking about how one could blow up and the other could burn the house down. I also try not to think about the old infrastructure in my area either. My brother lives in a town where several houses and part of a road blew up last year. Yikes!

[reese2]

On 11/29/2014 pommom said:

I went online to research electric vs gas costs - which is higher? I got nowhere. I didn't get a pat answer just a bunch of rambling.

Does anyone know which is more efficient when it comes to cooking and heating?

I'm not sure about the cost, but as for the heating, I honestly think the gas is more efficient. I don't find electric heat to be as warm.

Interesting thread!