[Hendo]

I am building a 60 x 40 house with an attached 40 x 40 garage. Should I go all electric or use a gas furnace. Which is better. I live in Illinois and am on Norris electric. All opinions appreciated.

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[gregzoll]

Depends on the cost of utilities. If a large enough lot, there is always Geo-Thermal. Otherwise, Heat pump is the best route to go with, especially with the huge rebates you can get through your utility & on your Tax Return.

 

[Jackofall1]

I would recommend gas everytime, if you are on natural gas, propane is a big cost variable, typically NG is less expensive to operate and there are units today with efficiencies as high as 98%. A heat pump is not a good solution for the northern climates, they don't work so good when winter temps crash.

Mark

 

[gregzoll]

Jackofall1, the OP lives in Mid-Southern IL, so in reality, a Heat Pump would be a better solution, with Geo-Thermal being the best. His supplier is a part of the Touchstone Energy group, so they are best to find out what rebates are offered, and then go from there in what gives the best payback for the long term. Especially depending on how long they plan on living there after they install the new unit.

Since it is a rural area they live in, I would opt for a Hybrid Heat-pump, or Geo, before going with a conventional system.

 

[Jackofall1]

Yup your right, I only saw Illinois, and when I saw that I thought Chicago area, the state does have southern reaches, I guess Norris Electric was the key to the location.

 

[gregzoll]

I had to go look up Norris Electric, due to never heard of them, but have heard of Touchstone, which are like Com-ed, which they buy up everything they can like Locust devouring fields.

 

[zootjeff]

If it were me I'd do both. Get a Gas furnace with a Heat pump. That is what I have and I love it. If you are going to get AC anyway, spend the 300-500 more and get a heat pump!

Heat pump heat costs 1/2 as much as gas in utility costs. Gas costs 1/2 as much as resistive backup heat.

I would not do just a heatpump with electric backup. This is the main reason heatpumps get bad wraps. You save money in Illinois using your heat pump in March, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Illinois#Temperatures

if you just got a heatpump with electric backup heat you would save a bunch of money during these months, and then blow away all your savings Dec, Jan, Feb to the point it costs more than gas.

I am building a 60 x 40 house with an attached 40 x 40 garage. Should I go all electric or use a gas furnace. Which is better. I live in Illinois and am on Norris electric. All opinions appreciated.

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[gregzoll]

Zootjeff, April through Sept. are the most humid months here in Illinois, and I can tell you right now, this year has been a ***** with humidity. May, through early July so far this year has seen high heat indexes, with long runs for just A/C.

 

[Hendo]

Yes I live in mid southern part of Illinois. I would to use the geo thermal if I can afford it. I will have to do more research on it. My dad has a gas furnace and he uses alot of ga through out the year that's why I asked everyone here what they thought. Thanks for your opinions. I will let you know what I go with.

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