Boilers... Electric vs. gas/lp

Uni R_3

Electric is basically 100% efficient for converting the kWhs you pay for into BTUs, doesn't requires holes through the envelope for venting, doesn't have any combustion associated risks and most houses already have this energy source. But electrical energy is typically more than NG/LPG.

There are 3413 BTUs is a kWh, 100,000 BTUs in a therm and 91,000 BTUs in a gallon of LPG. Factor a condensing boiler at perhaps 95% or so...

Where I live electric is approximately 10 cents per kWh and NG is 50 cents for a cubic meter which is 35,421 BTUs (this nets out to about 10 times as many BTUs for 5 times the price). If you do the quick mental math, electrical would be about double the price of NG here. If I had a house that was tight enough to heat electrically for under $1000 a year, I'd go for it. That would save on cleanings, the (minimal) venting losses out of the envelope, heating related CO risks, and the $11/month for the NG service.

Matt_52

Boilers...Electric Vs. Gas?

I've been scouring the web for a good operating cost comparison between electric and gas/LP fired, condensing boilers. Which is more cost effective to operate? Any ideas, input, good articles... etc.
Rock on wet heads!
m

Mike.C

My boss just recently figured the calculations and in rough order are
Ng cheapest
electric
Lp most expensive
from what we found in our area is Lp is about twice as expensive as Ng.



Mike.C

ALH_4

Calcs

All the calculations for this comparison are in John Siegenthaler's Modern Hydronic Heeating.