Gas heating versus electric heating – which is best?

During the Winter months, you will be keen to look at solutions to heat your home, or reassess your existing heating options. When it comes to comparing heating, the two main energy sources are gas and electricity. In order to make an informed decision, you’ll want to consider a few things like running cost, energy efficiency, health and safety, and suitability to your lifestyle and home.

The cost of gas is at an all-time high; electricity is nearly half the cost

Gone are the days where gas was a more affordable option. Today, the cost of gas is much higher than electricity, and there is no end in sight on it’s sharp incline. As global demand for this finite resource surges, experts are predicting that prices will continue to rise for years to come. When you consider that gas heating makes up nearly 70% of your total gas bill^, the certainty of rising gas prices is concerning to say the least, and gas is no longer the smart choice for heating your home.

In a nutshell, a modern high-quality electric split system air conditioner like Daikin has, runs at close to half the operating cost of heating your home with gas. To be specific; you’ll be able to heat your home for up to 48%* less than gas.

That translates to huge savings for Australian households. We can all do with being more conscious of our energy usage particularly as energy prices and the cost of living expenses continue to rise. Daikin’s award-winning split system air conditioners come in a range of sizes with the latest technology to ensure your home is more efficiently heated with not only your comfort, but your back pocket in mind.

Switching to electricity for your heating is more efficient in every way

The good news is that Australian households can beat rising gas prices by choosing electricity as alternatives to gas for their heating.

Modern split system air conditioning units provide efficient heating options for homes in winter and excellent cooling solutions in summer making them a great option. Gas heaters don’t come with an inbuilt cooling system when summer rolls around, making electric options more efficient and a smarter investment as you can use them year-round to control the indoor temperature in your home.

Electricity usage is better for the environment than gas

Electricity is a more efficient heating alternative. Not only is it cheaper due to its abundant supply, it is a renewable energy source that will help keep our environment cleaner for longer.

Electric heating is safer and healthier than gas heating

People who have gas heating are urged to be on the lookout for health problems that worsen or only occur when the gas heating is on. Gas heaters run the risk of leaking carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless and can leak into the air with faulty or unflued gas heaters. High levels of carbon monoxide in the air are very dangerous and may cause people to pass out or even die.

Electric heating doesn’t run this risk and can be considered the safer option.

Electric split system air conditioners can purify the air

If you choose an electric split system air conditioning unit, you can actually choose one that filters and purifies the air, at the same time as heating or cooling it. So not only are you choosing an option that doesn’t run the risk of polluting your indoor air with harmful chemicals, but you are actually cleaning it of common air pollutants.

Daikin have a range of split system air conditioning units that are fitted with four layers of filtration including their advanced Streamer technology which neutralise and eliminate common air contaminants quickly and effectively. Considering we spend up to 90% of our time indoors, breathing in clean air is a very compelling consideration when it comes to choosing effective heating within your home.

Government rebates for switching to electric heating and cooling

Even though the cost of running electric heating is cheaper than gas, you still have the hurdle of switching over to a new heating system if you already have gas in place. The great news is if you do decide to upgrade to a split or ducted system Australian governments and regulatory bodies are recognising the need for urgent and ongoing action to protect households from increasing energy costs. These bodies recognise that an upgrade now will save people money in the long run and are focused on assisting households with their upgrade decisions.

With the government supporting access to reliable, affordable, clean energy, the idea of all-electric heating solutions become all the more appealing.

A number of generous and compelling state-based rebates became available in 2023 with more on the way. The programs provide rebates of varying values to residents who upgrade from gas heating to reverse-cycle air conditioning. Some even offer credits on electricity bills for a number of years after the upgrade.

There’s no doubt about it, when it comes to comparing gas and electricity for heating solutions for your home, the scales are weighed in favour of electricity. It is cheaper to run, more energy efficient and a healthier alternative.

Whether you want to heat a single room or your whole home, explore Daikin’s split system air conditioners and enjoy pure, warm air at a cooler price.