"v" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 06:21:49 -0400, someone wrote:

An "All Electric" house can be quite cost effective.

Not in a heating climate (exception: people who have access to
artificially low below market electricity). Fuel is burned to create
heat from which electricity is made (inefficient process). The
electricity is then transmitted a long distance (somewhat inefficient
process). At the house, it is converted back to heat (that part is
efficient).

If what you really need is the heat, is in inherently more efficient
to burn the fuel at your house.

You HAVE heard of the "heat pump," havn't you?

With electricity the situation is that just about EVERYONE wants air
conditioning in the summer. Gas air conditioning is, at best, a PITA so
electric is the default. SO: whether you also have gas or oil makes NO
difference in your electric bill in the summer. That gas is cheaper in the
summer isn't particularly important as the meter charges are usually on the
order of fuel use for hot water and cooking.

In the winter, GAS/OIL are expensive but electric service (for "all
electric" homes) is CHEAP.



-v.