Energy prices have remained volatile throughout the year, and we are getting a lot of calls from homeowners asking about finding the most effective ways to heat their home this winter season. Transparently, we suggest that if your equipment was installed within the last two or three years, your best bet is likely to keep it given the costs associated. However, if you’re looking to replace a decades-old system and are considering your options, there are a few things to keep in mind. This includes conversion costs, efficiency, dependability, and more.
One of the most popular questions we get is: “How do electric heat pumps compare to propane for heating?” Here, we’ll help give you some specifics to help you make the best possible choice for your home.
Electricity is great—and essential—for your lights, computers, televisions, and some appliances. Coinciding with that, heat pumps are touted as an efficient solution to cool and heat your home, especially when central air is not an option…and truth be told they are great for cooling.
But when it comes to whole-house heating, they are simply not as effective as a propane furnace or boiler. Why is that? Electric heat takes much longer to reach a comfortable temperature and subsequently maintain it—which in turn, drives up your energy usage. That means, even without geopolitics driving energy costs up, electricity costs you more on average than most alternative fuel choices.
Electric heat pumps rely on outdoor air, they must work harder, and use more electricity, to keep your home warm the lower the temperature goes. Think about how cold it gets in New Hampshire in the heart of winter and imagine the impact that has on your utility bill!
Three words sum this up: Propane heats better! Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, and it delivers more than twice the Btus of natural gas, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy. It also works quicker. Propane water heaters work faster to heat your water than their electric counterparts:
In addition to heating your home, propane is equally great for cooking, drying your clothes, and heating your water. You can also use propane outside your home to BBQ, power a firepit, warm your deck or patio, light your outdoor space, and keep your pool or spa at just the right temperature.
There is a range of factors to consider when choosing the energy source for your home heating and appliances, but when it comes to heating your home, propane is the choice that can’t be beat…and Pemi River is the local provider you need to call!
If you’re thinking about making the switch to propane, the pros at Pemi River can make it easy. After all, there’s a reason so many homeowners and businesses in central New Hampshire rely on us for expert propane equipment installations and dependable propane delivery! Contact us today to learn more—we’d love to have you join our family of customers.