phaeton wrote:
I realize that the cost differences are regional, and it's up to me to
call up the local utilities and find out what the going rates are.
*however*, there are some things that may preclude cost, and
implementation matters too.

Might be buying a house that has a gas waterheater and a gas
boiler/baseboard system. Both appear to be fairly new- i.e. 5 years
maybe. The water heater is fine- if it ain't broke don't fix it.
However-

1) Would it be best to heat the house with the gas boiler, or would it
be best to shut it down completely and heat with small electric space
heaters?

Define best! Chances are you want the least expensive to operate with
quality results. Both produce quality results and in about 95% of North
America where gas is available, gas, even after the latest increases is
still the least expensive by a large margin. On exception to that rule are
warm areas of the US where heat pumps become practical most of the year.

The house is bi-level, very open, about 1100 sq feet, no
basement, approximately 20 years old. This is South Central
Wisconsin, and we have real winters here (i.e. sustained temperatures
between 8-20F for weeks at a time). Can you just "turn off" modern
gas boilers- i.e. no pilot light or anything?

2) We will need to buy a stove for the house. I prefer cooking on
gas. The Missus prefers electric. Looks like they cost about the
same, and when you sit down to eat the end result is the same. In
the long run, which might be a better choice?

Get what she wants, unless you do most of the cooking. Gas will likely
be cheaper, but not enough to worry about. Cooking is a small portion of
the total.


3) We will need to buy a washer/dryer pair for the house. Once again-
gas dryer or electric? I have no opinion on this, personally. I
think the hookup is currently electric, but we may relocate them
anyways. Are the over/under combo units still inherently evil?

Electric is almost always cheaper to buy and more expensive to use. I
chose gas. In most cases the difference in cost will make gas the best
choice.


4) I like beer. Beer gives me gas. The Missus threatens to buy an
electric cattle prod to punish me for my efforts. Which will win- gas
or electric?

Is gas considered enough of a hazard to where it's best to avoid it if
at all possible? Can multiple electric appliances require an update
of the fuse panel to something higher (i.e. from 100 or 130 to 200A)?

Gas is not a safety hazard. Look at all the homes around the world
using it. How often do you hear of a house burning down because of a gas
failure and how often do you hear of one burning down because of a wiring
problem. If it was a problem the insurance companies would charge you a big
premium.


Thanks for any replies.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit