Electric Heating vs Gas Heating

In the ever-evolving field of MEP engineering, one of the key areas experiencing a significant shift in recent years is the choice between electric heating and gas heating systems.  As we strive for greater energy efficiency, sustainability, and reduced emissions in building systems, the debate between these two heating options has become more crucial than ever.  In this third installment of the “4 Fundamental Shifts in MEP Engineering”, we will delve into the core distinctions between electric heating and gas heating.  We will explore their unique advantages, disadvantages, and their impact on the field of modern MEP engineering.

Understanding Electric Heating

Electric heating systems have gained momentum as an attractive alternative to traditional gas heating in recent years. As the cost of natural gas has risen, the traditional “gas is cheaper” assumption is often no longer valid. Operational cost models in regions that are typically considered natural gas friendly are now coming up with either equal or lower operational cost utilizing electrical power for heating and water heating. The use of high-efficiency heat pumps for both comfort conditioning and water heating are driving this change. Every location, situation, and utility company is different. However, the trend toward electric heat is gathering speed, as the relative cost difference of the two energy sources have converged in many areas of the country.

These systems utilize electricity to generate heat for use in either building heating systems or water heating. Electric heat offers a range of benefits that align with the goals of energy efficiency and sustainability. One of the significant advantages of electric heating is its improved efficiency compared to gas heating.  Resistance based electric heating systems convert nearly 100% of the energy they consume into heat, while gas heating systems often experience significant energy losses during the combustion process.  Heat pump heating systems take that efficiency beyond 100 percent, sometimes reaching as high as 300 to 400 percent, using water as the source of heat.  Heat pumps are able to achieve these high efficiency ratings because they extract their heat from the outdoor air (or water, in the case of water source heat pumps), rather than from the electricity required to operate their compressors and fans. By using the thermodynamic principles of the refrigeration cycle, heat pumps can provide significantly more heat than their power input would indicate, hence their efficiencies that exceed 100 percent. 

Furthermore, electric heating systems are known for their flexibility and compatibility with renewable energy sources.  By integrating electric heating with solar panels or wind turbines, buildings can rely on clean, renewable, on-site energy to power their heating systems. This synergy allows for a substantial reduction in carbon emissions and a greener approach to MEP engineering.

Advantages of Electric Heating

1. Lower Maintenance Costs: Electric heating systems are generally less complex and easier to maintain compared to gas heating systems. They do not require annual inspections, flue cleaning, or the regular replacement of filters, as is often necessary with gas heating. 
   
   
2. Higher Efficiency:  As previously stated, heat pumps can raise the heating efficiency to well over 100 percent, often as high as 300 to 400 percent depending on the use of air or water as the heat source.  Heat pump efficiency is typically measured in COP or Coefficient of Performance. COP values above 3.0 (300 percent) are considered high efficiency machines.
   
   
3. Higher Reliability:  Utility service reliability aside, electric heating systems are typically more reliable than their gas fired equivalents (furnaces and boilers).  They typically have fewer moving parts to fail and are provided with many safeties to prevent accidental damage to the coils and equipment.  As long as the utility company and electrical distribution can provide the power, electric resistance heaters provide an extremely reliable source of heat.   Heat pumps have also become extremely reliable, on par with a typical air conditioning unit compressor.
   
   
4. Improved Safety: Electric heating eliminates the need for combustible fuels, such as natural gas or propane, reducing the risk of gas leaks, carbon monoxide poisoning, and potential fire hazards. This aspect makes electric heating a safer choice for most building types, especially residential buildings where carbon monoxide poisoning is still a significant issue.
   
   
5. Design Flexibility: Electric heating systems offer greater design flexibility due to their smaller size and absence of combustion components and flues. They can be easily installed in various locations within a building, allowing for more efficient space utilization.

Disadvantages of Electric Heating

1. Environmental Impact:  “Dirty” power companies utilize either coal or natural gas to generate the electricity at the power plant.  These power generation systems are notoriously inefficient in their combustion of fossil fuels.  A typical coal fired plant in the United States operates around 33 percent efficiency, and the best natural gas turbine power plants achieve only 60-70 percent efficiency.   These efficiency values do not take into account losses in the transmission and distribution lines bringing the power to the project site.  About 5 percent of all electricity generated is lost in the transmission lines and an additional 17.5 percent in the power company’s distribution systems and transformers. 
   
   Contrast that with the 90-98 percent efficiency commonly found using on-site boilers, furnaces and water heaters.  Fossil fueled power plants contribute greatly to greenhouse gas emissions, as the combustion of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.  This adds to the global carbon footprint and exacerbates climate change concerns.
   
   Before considering electric heat solutions for your project, first check how “green” your local utility company is relative to their use of fossil fuels.   Heat pump COP efficiencies can counter some of the inefficiencies; however, in a coal fired area, like the “coal belt”, even the highest efficiency heat pumps cannot overcome the inherent inefficiency of coal and natural gas fired power.  You could be adding to the global warming problem rather than helping it by utilizing electric heat in these areas.
   
   
2. Increased Electrical Distribution Costs:  Electric heating and water heating solutions require very large amounts of power.  The use of electric heating can often result in substantial increases in the size of the electrical service and transformer(s) required to supply the building.  In the case of a retrofit, it may not be possible to upgrade the electrical service to the building without significant disruption of the buildings operations.

Understanding Gas Heating

Gas heating systems have been the traditional choice, for heating buildings, for decades. Just a few years ago, the only decision makers were the availability of gas, and how much it costs.These systems rely on the combustion of natural gas or propane to produce heat, which is then distributed throughout the building. While they have been widely used and accepted, the drawbacks associated with gas heating systems are pushing the industry towards more sustainable alternatives.

Advantages of Gas Heating

1. Lower Operational Costs:  Although the trend is definitely shifting toward electric heat, on-site natural gas heating often still provides an operational cost advantage, particularly in northern climate zones.  However, the gap is narrowing, and the only way to be certain is to have a qualified energy modeler run the calculations to determine the best overall solution for your specific case.
   
   
2. High Combustion Efficiency:   While heat pumps provide efficiency ratings of 200 to 400 percent depending on their type, on-site natural gas systems typically reach anywhere from 90 to 98 percent efficiency through the use of high efficiency burners, sealed combustion systems, and various forms of internal heat exchange technologies that did not exist only a decade ago.   The heat pump will always beat the natural gas burner in efficiency; however, their practicality diminishes with larger and larger systems.
   
   
3. Large Amounts of Available Heating Capacity:  When the required heat capacities become large, heat pumps and electric resistance heating becomes impractical due to the large electrical services and transformers required to supply them with the necessary power.  Natural gas combustion heaters can pack a lot of heating capacity into a very small space that is simply not possible with electric heating systems.

Disadvantages of Gas Heating

1. Environmental Impact:  Onsite gas heating systems contribute to greenhouse gas emissions directly at the project site as the combustion of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This adds to the global carbon footprint and exacerbates climate change concerns.  As long as the available electricity is primarily renewable (either on-site or off-site sources) or “clean”, like nuclear power, all electric buildings will typically produce less operational carbon over the life of the facility.
   
   
2. Maintenance and Safety Concerns: Gas heating systems require regular maintenance to ensure safe operation. This includes inspections, cleaning of combustion chambers, and ventilation checks. Gas leaks, carbon monoxide risks, and potential fire hazards are common concerns associated with gas heating systems.

The Shift Towards Electric Heating

As the world increasingly prioritizes sustainable practices, the shift towards electric heating in MEP engineering is gaining momentum. Advancements in electric heating technology, particularly heat pumps, coupled with the integration of renewable energy sources, present a viable solution for reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency in buildings. The competitive rising cost of electric heating, thanks to declining renewable energy prices and incentives, has further accelerated this transition. While gas heating systems have historically been considered more affordable, the decreasing costs of solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy technologies are narrowing the gap.

Moreover, the deployment of smart grid systems and demand response programs offer additional advantages to electric heating. These innovations allow for better load management, leveraging the flexibility of electric heating systems to optimize energy consumption during periods of high demand or when renewable energy production is at its peak.

Conclusion

The shift from natural gas heating to electric heating represents a fundamental transformation of multiple industries, driven by the need for sustainability and energy efficiency. It is one of the four fundamental shifts that we have identified as significantly changing the MEP industry over the last few decades. 

As we embrace this shift, Schnackel Engineers is committed to providing cutting-edge solutions that prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability. Whether it’s implementing electric heating systems or integrating renewable energy sources, our expertise and dedication to excellence will help you navigate the evolving landscape of MEP engineering. Our energy modeling services and Sustainability Team can help you make intelligent decisions with respect to all of your energy choices. Together, let us build a future where sustainable solutions take center stage, reducing emissions and creating comfortable environments for generations to come.

Contact Schnackel Engineers today to explore how our MEP engineering services can help transform your buildings with energy-efficient heating solutions. Let us be your trusted partner in creating sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective spaces that align with the future of MEP engineering.