Electric vs Gas Heater (Cost)

[Ecstatic Universe]

I am contemplating getting either a gas or electric heater.

Either a gas bottle + attachment or some kind of small/low on electricity electric heater. Does anyone have any experience with electric heaters costing less to operate for the same amount of time, but at a cheaper cost?

 

[EL'Diablo]

@EastAfricaGuy

 

[Wrath of Khan MD]

9kg gas bottle refill costs roughly R350

Gas lasts :
1 panel = 90 hours / 1.5kw
2 panel = 45 hours / 2.8kw
3 panel = 30 hours / 4.2kw

Running gas heater for 3 hours a night the 9kg bottle will last :
1 panel = 30 days
2 panel = 15 days
3 panel = 10 days

Cost of the gas per night :
1 panel = R11.66 per night
2 panel = R23.33 per night
3 panel = R35 per night

Electricity costs around R2.60 / Kwh <-- depends on area
A little halogen heater is around 1,200w

1 heater = R9.36 per 3 hour night
2 heater = R18.72 per 3 hour night
3 heater = R28.08 per 3 hour night

I made it 3 heaters to roughly get close to what the gas heater Kw makes. I don't mean panels, I mean you bought 3 heaters.

After all this maths guess which is cheaper?
Tadaa.... they are both identical in price, almost to the nearest cent...

 

[Tim_vb]

also worth considering the pollution issue with gas indoors

Gas stoves can generate unsafe levels of indoor air pollution

An accumulating body of research suggests gas stoves are a health risk.

www.vox.com

 

[Brian_G]

9kg gas bottle refill costs roughly R350

Gas lasts :
1 panel = 90 hours / 1.5kw...

You should buy from a wholesaler, about R30 to R50 cheaper.
And mine fills the bottles far more - also used to get about 90 hours, now about 105 to 112 hours.

BTW, in their industry it means something else when you refer to a refill. They call it "an exchange".

 

[Jehosefat]

BTW, in their industry it means something else when you refer to a refill. They call it "an exchange".

Not necessarily, those are two different things. If you own the bottle you get it refilled. If it's a rented bottle you exchange it.

 

[rh1]

Not necessarily, those are two different things. If you own the bottle you get it refilled. If it's a rented bottle you exchange it.

My experience: It is easier to exchange than to refill.

Hence my cadac is gathering rust and dust in the garage and I simply use the exchange gas tanks.

 

[Brian_G]

Not necessarily, those are two different things. If you own the bottle you get it refilled. If it's a rented bottle you exchange it.

That's a bit dof of them. Nobody really "rents" a bottle, they just call it that
But understood now, thanks.

 

[Jehosefat]

My experience: It is easier to exchange than to refill.

Hence my cadac is gathering rust and dust in the garage and I simply use the exchange gas tanks.

Likewise. Much quicker and easier to exchange than to refill.

 

[Ecstatic Universe]

9kg gas bottle refill costs roughly R350

Gas lasts :
1 panel = 90 hours / 1.5kw
2 panel = 45 hours / 2.8kw
3 panel = 30 hours / 4.2kw

Running gas heater for 3 hours a night the 9kg bottle will last :
1 panel = 30 days
2 panel = 15 days
3 panel = 10 days

Cost of the gas per night :
1 panel = R11.66 per night
2 panel = R23.33 per night
3 panel = R35 per night

Electricity costs around R2.60 / Kwh <-- depends on area
A little halogen heater is around 1,200w

1 heater = R9.36 per 3 hour night
2 heater = R18.72 per 3 hour night
3 heater = R28.08 per 3 hour night

I made it 3 heaters to roughly get close to what the gas heater Kw makes. I don't mean panels, I mean you bought 3 heaters.

After all this maths guess which is cheaper?
Tadaa.... they are both identical in price, almost to the nearest cent...

Thanks, if we assume the electric heater is just 600W, can I halve the amounts you've allocated for the electric/halogen heater?

 

[Wrath of Khan MD]

well a 600W heater at R2.60 Kw/h running for 3 hours at night would cost R1.56

but remember you can't compare a 600W heater vs a 1.5kW gas heater, the Kw must be the same to get a cost.

cost = power × time × rate

 

[me_]

The one thing to factor in is you need to have ventilation when you are running a gas heater. This means you need a bit of cold airflow outside which affects the efficiency.

If you have a well-sealed room, you are better off keeping everything closed and running an electric heater. If you have a draughty house (with poorly sealing doors, windows or airbricks), it won't make as much of a difference.

 

[kory]

Thanks, if we assume the electric heater is just 600W, can I halve the amounts you've allocated for the electric/halogen heater?

Yes but would also generate less heat and need to be run longer.