Gas Heating or Electric Heating, what’s best for my home?

Jan 29, 2025 | energy efficient air conditioning and heating, heater repair, winter

Gas Heating or Electric Heating, what’s best for my home?

Electric vs. Gas Heating: Which Costs Less?

Choosing between electric heating or gas heating can significantly impact your energy bills. While natural gas is generally the more affordable option, factors such as energy prices, system efficiency, and climate will help determine which heating system is best for your home. Air Care’s Home Heating pros are always available to answer your questions about furnaces, electric heating systems & other types of heating units.

Comparing Energy Costs

Heating costs vary based on local utility rates, system performance, and energy demand. Typically, natural gas heating is cheaper than electric, but in areas with lower electricity rates or highly efficient electric heat pumps, the difference may be minimal.

Learn More about our Heating Services:

Heating Repair
Heating Replacement
Heating Maintenance

Key Cost Factors for Home Heating in Shreveport

✔ Local Utility Prices – Natural Gas is often cheaper but fluctuates more than electricity.
✔ System Efficiency – Modern electric heat pumps can rival gas in cost-effectiveness.
✔ Climate Impact – Warmer regions may benefit more from electric heating.

Efficiency: Electric Heaters vs. Gas Furnaces

Electric heating systems (furnaces, baseboard heaters, and heat pumps) convert 100% of their energy into heat, making them highly efficient. However, electricity prices are generally higher, driving up heating costs.

Gas heating systems, such as furnaces and boilers, are usually 70–90% efficient, meaning some energy is lost in combustion. Despite the lower efficiency, the lower cost of natural gas often makes it the more economical choice when compared to the cost of electric heat.

How Much Does Heating Cost Per Month?

Electric Heating Costs

US National Average Electric Heat Cost:approximately **$840 per year
Heating Cost in Warmer Areas: As low as $300 per year, good news for Shreveport residents
Colder climates or large homes: Costs can reach the higher end, greater than $1000 per year

Natural Gas Heating Costs

Recent price increases (~28% in 2022-2023) still kept gas cheaper than electric
Average savings of up to 63% compared to electric heating
Efficiency varies, with most gas systems running at 70–90% efficiency

Heating Energy Measurement: kWh vs. BTU

To compare costs, understanding energy conversion is useful:

1 BTU = 0.000293 kWh
3,412 BTUs = 1 kWh

If you’re calculating heating efficiency, multiplying BTUs by 0.000293 will give you the equivalent kWh.

Air Conditioner Financing

Need to upgrade your HVAC, but you're in need of funding? Air Care can provide financing with approved credit through Wells Fargo Home Projects Financing.

Apply for HVAC Financing

Is Your Heating System Electric or Gas?

If you’re unsure about your heating type, look for these signs:

🔥 **Gas systems** have a visible pilot light or burner flame.
⚡ **Electric systems** lack a flame and rely on heating elements.
📄 **Utility bills** will list whether you’re paying for gas.

Bottom Line: What’s the Most Affordable Way to Heat a Home?

For the majority of homeowners, natural gas remains the cheaper heating option. Electricity is more stable in pricing and cleaner, but it typically costs more overall, to heat a home with electric heating coils.

Making the Right Heating Unit Choice:

✔ Lower bills? Gas is usually more affordable.
✔ Eco-friendly option? Electric is cleaner and pollutant-free.
✔ Better for mild climates? Electric heating can be efficient in warm areas.
✔ Consistent pricing? Electricity is less prone to market swings.

At Air Care Heating & Cooling, we help homeowners choose the best heating solutions for their needs. Whether you have **electric or gas**, our team provides expert installation, repairs, and maintenance to keep your home comfortable year-round.

Air Care Heating & Cooling Services, Inc | Shreveport, LA Bossier City, LA

Schedule Today! 318-525-7923

At Air Care Shreveport, we'd love to earn your business & trust. We offer expert HVAC service, AC repair & HVAC Sales. Our goal is to ensure that you have a comfortable home, year round. Contact Us for all your HVAC needs.

Keeping warm in an older home

Jan 14, 2019 | ductwork repair, energy efficient air conditioning and heating, heater repair, insulation, Old House, winter

Keeping warm in an older home

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The Shreveport-Bossier area has it’s share of older homes. If you own one of them, chances are that staying warm can be surprisingly tricky. Some rooms may be cozy and warm while others seem colder. You may have the whole place comfortable, but your heating bills are abnormally high. Fortunately, there are several solutions that might work. Some of these require AirCare’s help, while others are simple do-it-yourself fixes.

Problem: Your heating and cooling system is outdated.
Solution: Repair or replace the system.

Deciding to repair or replace an HVAC system doesn’t have to be a difficult decision. AirCare’s certified HVAC technicians are able to give you expert advice, as well as help you to get the best value. Call us today to schedule a visit with one of our representatives. In the meantime, check out this handy guide from Goodman Manufacturing to help you to decide whether to repair or replace your AC and heating system.

Problem: Your house is cold no matter what you do.
Solution: Insulate ANYWHERE that you can.

If your heating system is working overtime but your house is still cold, then chances are the heat is escaping somewhere. The only cure for this is insulation, and lots of it. Start with attic insulation, because heat always rises. Foam insulation or pellet insulation can be added to your walls. If your home has the space to install insulation in the floor, that can be helpful for homes with raised foundations. Finally, don’t forget other parts of your house that can be insulated, such as investing in new doors or windows.

Not sure where to begin with insulating your old house? This chart from EnergyStar can tell you which R-Value is recommended for your location. Talk to a contractor before taking the plunge, as your old house might have older wiring, plaster walls, or other features that necessitate insulation work by a professional.

Mini Split Systems are complact, quiet and affordable.

Problem: There is absolutely no room for a new heating system.
Solution: Ask about our compact systems.

Many older homes are built with very little room, including no closets to speak of and tight doorways. In a home where space is a premium, putting in ductwork can be impossible. Mini-split Systems do not require ducts, they are compact, operate quietly and are energy efficient.

In the meantime, work with the heating options you already have. For instance, the outdated system might need to be upgraded in order to gain efficiency. If you have fireplaces, get in touch with a professional who can clean it out.

Problem: Drafts are coming in everywhere.
Solution: Block anywhere air can get through.

You’ve got the heat running just fine and the insulation is doing its job, but now you can feel the drafts — and the cold wake-up call is hitting your heating bills, too. It’s time to go to war armed with weather stripping, door sweeps, heavy-duty caulk, and even insulating pads for those places where drafts can surprise you, like behind light switches and electrical outlets. After everything has been sealed up, you can also consider covering old windows with plastic film and caulk, hanging heavy drapes over patio doors, and paying attention to the seals around outlets, such as dryer vents. The Environmental Protection Agency offers a list of places where drafts can get through, as well as solid information on how to stop the air infiltration.

Problem: The cost of heating is still far too high.
Solution: Explore all other heating options.

If your utility bills get far too high to handle during the dead of winter, it might be time to look for alternatives. Firewood is very inexpensive — if you have a fireplace, you’re in luck, as it can be used on its own or in combination with other heating methods. Other options include natural gas and electric heating systems. The U.S. Energy Information Administration offers an excellent calculation tool to help you decide between various heating fuels.

If your home already has ductwork installed, your options grow broader. Upgrading your furnace can decrease utility bills. The up-front investment can be steep, but you could see a savings of $200 per year on your utility bills, according to EnergyStar.

Good insulation, ductwork repairs, and blocking drafts can save money. Contact AirCare today, to find out how we can help keep your home warm and cozy.

Call (318) 525-7923

HVAC Financing