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Pros and Cons of Electric Heating
When electric heating is an option for your home, it’s important to know what the benefits and drawbacks are of electric heating over other systems.
Electric heating can work well in homes that don’t have ductwork or when you need a heating system that doesn’t require ventilation, such as when your home was built with no forced air furnace.
Even though electric heaters come in many designs, they tend to be more efficient than older hot-air furnaces and often use less wattage per square footage than electric baseboard units. Not only do electric baseboards lose some efficiency by turning on and off too frequently, but they also rely on cold drafts from windows and doors to operate properly even at their highest settings.
Compared to natural gas or wood heating, electric heating can be a more environmentally friendly option depending on the source of power in your local area. In British Columbia, close to 95 per cent of electricity is generated from renewable sources – primarily hydroelectricity, but also through wind and biomass energy as well. Electric heating is a common method to heat homes on Vancouver Island. Thanks to our relatively mild climate, electric heating is more of a viable option here than in other, colder parts of the country.
When electric heating is a suitable choice for your home:
-You live in a climate where electric heat is generally sufficient to keep you warm – electric heating does not work efficiently in very cold climates where temperatures often drop well below freezing for long stretches at a time.
-Homeowners living on Vancouver Island who prefer a heating source that is more environmentally friendly than other sources of power (e.g. natural gas, wood).
-You can afford to pay the extra upfront costs of electric heating installation and operation (compared to natural gas or wood).
Although the upfront costs for installing electric heating in the home can sometimes be higher than with natural gas or wood, the long term savings can often make it a budget-friendly choice when heating your home. As with all homes, we highly recommend that you ensure your home is well-insulated in order to reduce heating costs and to keep your home more comfortable. Replacing windows in older homes with modern, more energy-efficient windows is a relatively straightforward and simple way to save on heating costs without having to perform invasive renovations or remodelling.
As a fully licensed, WCB and insured electrical company, CNA Electric Ltd. can help you with your residential electric needs. Our services include renovations, repairs, generators and heat pumps, as well as wiring and installations. Based in Nanaimo, our service area also includes Ladysmith, Parksville, Qualicum and the surrounding area.
For information about our services and how we can assist you, please contact us at cna.electrician@gmail.com or call us at 1-250-816-8884 today!