Gas Heater Vs. Electric Heater: Differences

When winter hits, all you want is comfort and warmth, so when it comes to deciding which heater is the best for your home, you can run into some obstacles around which to choose. Gas and electric heaters are two of the most common types of heaters used in homes but how do they match up against one another? This guide breaks down everything you need to know about gas and electric heaters.

What is a gas heater?

A gas heater is a heater fuelled by butane, propane, liquified petroleum gas (LPG), or natural gas. The heater is connected to a source of gas, gas flow is controlled through a valve, and heat is ignited via an electric filament or pilot light.

Gas heaters come in many shapes and sizes and are used to warm up inside and outside spaces, and are generally better suited to larger spaces. Heaters are categorised into flued – connected to the gas mains – and unflued – portable or free standing and not plumbed into gas mains.

What is an electric heater?

An electric heater passes electricity through different materials to create heat. They are generally better at heating smaller, indoor spaces, and, as many models are portable, good for moving around the house. They simply need an electrical outlet to plug into and they don’t need ventilation like a gas heater.

There are a number of different types of electric heaters including:

• Oil-filled column heaters

• Panel heaters

• Radiant heaters

• Fan heaters

• Ceramic heaters

• Electric fire heaters

  
  

  Which heater should I buy?

  With everything else that comes with appliances, choosing the right heater for your home comes down to personal preference. If you’re someone who likes a heater close by that you can move around with you then a smaller electric heater could be the right choice. Or if you’re someone who needs to heat their entire home or larger spaces, gas heating might be for you. Compare heaters to see which type might be the right choice.