So is gas better than electricity? I took it upon myself to do some research.
Let’s look at the advantages of gas over electricity, and talk about why experts agree that natural gas is the superior energy source.
There are many stories in the media regarding gas and the environment, but it’s best not to believe all you hear, and look for the answers yourself.
Here are just a few facts that aren’t well-known and that we should all be aware of:
Gas is delivered on demand
Our electricity infrastructure is breaking under the burden of overuse. It has to be at your home ready to use all the time.
Natural Gas has, because of it’s means of delivery, not got the same supply and delivery issues as electricity.
Think about it. No unplanned outages! Sorry, I’m actually wrong there – there has been one, ever!
So yes, if your home is connected to natural gas in a blackout, you’ll have everything but lights. Especially if you have a new log fire with battery backup! And what’s more romantic than a candlelit evening by the fire with a glass of red?
Number one reason why gas is better than electricity…
It can be far more economical to use gas appliances
Natural Gas has always been inexpensive for South Australians, but now people have a strange idea that things have changed.
So some people have changed most of their appliances to electrical and retained one gas appliance (say, because they like cooking with gas).
They then complain about how gas has gone up in price.
Gas is billed by charging an initial service fee, then the more gas you use, the cheaper the consumption rate is. For instance, the first lot of megajoules used is charged at a higher rate than the next amount.
What happens then, is if you only use one appliance (a stove) you may not reach the second, lower rate. If you have four (a stove, 2 heaters and a hot water service) then you get to that lower rate and your rate is less.
So having lots of gas appliances is kind of like getting a discount!
Then we move on to how economical electrical appliances are. Here, there is no discount for running more appliances, and if you use more then you pay more at the exact same rate.
Recent Australian Gas Networks information stated that if you use simply a cooktop and a hot water service for one year:
Electricity would cost $1483 in South Australia
Natural Gas would cost $1173 in South Australia
So you could stay warm with a gas heater as well before hitting anywhere close to what it would cost for just an electric cooktop and hot water service.
Number two reason why gas is better than electricity….
Less Greenhouse Gas Emissions than Electricity
You don’t believe me do you! I must admit I was a bit worried too, but I dutifully did my research and did not rely on what I was told.
So, here we go: natural gas is a fossil fuel like the coal often used to make electricity.
However, the way it is chemically formed makes it a much better option when considering the environment. Looking at a number of sources I found that natural gas only provides 44% of energy to Australia’s homes, and only emits 13% of greenhouse gas emissions.
That leaves approximately 56% of energy left provided to homes: most from coal-fired electricity and some from wood (we all know that solar’s clean so we won’t talk about that!) and 87% of household emissions.
So the big question is, where’s that 87% coming from, if not gas?
Source: AGN – Cost & Emissions Comparison
So, that’s number 3 reason why gas is better than electricity…
What do you think?
So is Gas better than Electricity to run your home? It’s not up to me to make up your mind, but I can tell you one thing. AGN are offering rebates at the moment for new gas lines and new gas installations.
Cheaper appliances? Definitely the 4th reason why gas is better than electricity…
Just follow this link to find out more: https://www.australiangasnetworks.com.au/rebates
Oh, and no, you can’t buy appliances from us and we don’t install them. It’s just something we felt you should know.
What do you think?
PS: If you want more environmental info, take a look at our Gas Heating Vs Split System AC Post – there’s a great widget in there that shows you more.
Updated 28/07/2023 by Sharon Barter