Gas Or Electric?

[Cochese]

Has this been posted yet?

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/...es/ranges.html

[cabinetman]

It's both factors, really. From my earlier post:

"Efficiency" in this context is the ratio of output energy over input energy:

Efficiency = (energy transferred to the pan)/(energy consumed)

An open flame, such as on a gas stove or a wood fireplace, is not an efficient way to transfer heat. While the combustion process itself releases about 80% of the energy available in the gas, the inefficiencies of the heat transfer to the pan reduce the overall efficiency to the 50% range.

Similarly, an electric range is essentially 100% efficient at converting the electricity to heat. However, that heat still needs to be transferred to the pan. On an electric stove, the pan is in contact with the heating element, and metal-to-metal conduction is much more efficient than radiation or conduction of heat through air, so the efficiency loss due to the heat transfer is less and the overall efficiency is therefore greater.

As others have noted, though, it's really a subjective evaluation or "opinion", and some people just prefer gas, in spite of the lower efficiency and greater safety risk. Professional cooks typically prefer gas burners and electric ovens - the gas burners allow faster change in temperature of the pan and more variable temperature control, while the electric oven provides a more stable temperature than can be achieved with gas.

But at the end of the day, it's really all subjective personal preference.

"Similarly, an electric range is essentially 100% efficient at converting the electricity to heat." That statement is an opinion, as there is no way that can be true. It takes time for an electric element to get hot, and transfer that heat to a pan, whereas a flame is instantaneous. Whatever you base your opinion on, if efficiency is related to cost of operation, I'll quote from the link that Cochese posted: "A gas stove costs less than half as much to operate as an electric one, provided it is equipped with electronic ignition instead of a pilot light." It's just that simple to those that cook.

.

[woodturner]

Has this been posted yet?

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/...es/ranges.html

Some good information there, but they make some assumptions to draw their conclusions that are not universally true. For example they say " A gas stove costs less than half as much to operate as an electric one" which is based on the assumption "It assumes the cost of gas is $.60 a therm, and electricity is $.08 a kWh. " For comparison, in my area gas costs $0.756 per therm and electricity currently costs $0.06/kWh, so their assumptions don't apply in this area and even using their calculation, a gas stove costs more to operate.

They are also using only the cost of the energy itself, and are not considering delivery and other charges - which are often 2 to 10 times the cost of the energy, for both electricity and gas.

They are trying to simplify the comparison for consumers, but unfortunately, it's not possible to make simplifications that will apply to everyone and everywhere. While there are parts of the calculation that are objective fact - for example, that an electric stove converts electricity to heat with essentially 100% efficiency - other factors such as the heat transfer to the pan will vary with the pan and the stove. As a result, the overall efficiency can only be accurately detemined for one specific pan and one specific stove, and we are essentially forced to rely on estimated and average efficiencies.

If one is concerned about efficiency, the local utilities will usually be a better source of information. The utilities prepare cost estimates based on the local ranges, providing a better source of information to compare costs and efficiencies.

As a practical matter, it is again a subjective choice. I'm assuming most of us don't use the stove so much that it has a significant impact on our utility bills. In winter climates, gas usage for the furnace and hot water heater is significantly higher than the gas used by a gas stove, so the stove usage has minimal impact on the annual costs.

My guess is that the energy cost difference between gas and electric stoves is less than $50 per year for most people in most parts of the country - and whether gas or electric will be less expensive depends on their local energy pricing.

[cabinetman]

Some good information there, but they make some assumptions to draw their conclusions that are not universally true.

The information is good there, and their proposition that a gas stove is cheaper to run than an electric is based on facts derived, likely from their area or other areas. You haven't cited any factual data other than your own opinions on which method is more efficient...cost wise. It still stands to reason that gas produces immediate heat, while that electric burner is still getting hot. If cost (and supposed efficiency) is your criteria for which one to use, and it costs less in your immediate area to use electricity, that's your choice.

Here, some areas have natural gas availability, and if not, like my area, use LP. There are areas which the difference in operating cost is so minimal, it's inconsequential as to the actual user cost, but more importantly what a person likes to use.

Here, there is competition amongst the providers, so with prudent shopping one can get very competitive pricing.

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