From: "Elle" 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Heating: "Forced Air, Gas" vs. Electric
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 05:39:31 GMT


 wrote
E
>>(I buy a propane tank
> >periodically and have a furnace for it, right?) "
>
>
> No, you buy the tank that goes outside your house once and 
> then the
> propane company comes with a truck and fills it as needed. 
> Haven't
> you watched King of the Hill?

No, sir.

Regardless, I like the concept.

> More northern one: most homes appear to have "Forced air,
> gas" heating. Located in and about a medium-sized city. 
> How
> do you interpret "forced air, gas" heating? Is this a
> combination of electric and gas, or is it the usual gas
> furnace common to more northern, more populated locales?
>
>
> Forced air doesn't specify the fuel, which typically is 
> either oil,
> natural gas, or propane.  It just means the furnace uses a 
> blower with
> ducting to heat the house.

Okie-doke.

> I do not like what I read about heat pumps (and can't buy
> into their being more efficient than electric heat) but 
> will
> hear out others who feel otherwise.
>
>
> What exactly have you  heard?

The archives seems to have about ten reports of the things 
not heating the house adequately for every one report that 
it does.

 It's well established  that a heat pump
> is far more efficient at heating than using electric. 
> With electric
> all you are doing is using the energy in the electric to 
> generate heat
> through resistance, like an oven.   With a heat pump, the 
> electricitiy
> is used to pump heat from outside, to inside.   The 
> outside source can
> be either air or the earth.   Using outside air works well 
> in warm or
> moderate climates, say from FL to Wash DC area. 
> Geothermal works well
> in any climate, but is more expensive to install, so it's 
> best suited
> for colder areas.  Air based heat pumps usually have 
> electric heat as a
> backup option for the days when it is really cold, <30. 
> One thing is
> for sure, and that is heat pump systems are energy 
> efficient.  If they
> were not, you would never see them installed vs electric 
> systems, as
> they cost a lot more.  Another advantage is you are 
> getting AC at the
> same time.

I'll study this more.

Thanks for the input.