Gas vs electric cost calculation?

In our region electricity is generated from burning natural gas, a process that is about 33% according to a fundamental thermodynamic formula. Thus it costs three times as much to heat by turning gas into electricity vs using the gas directly.

I understand that heat pumps change the game but they are not used much in northern Canada because it is difficult to collect heat underground in winter at a useful temperature.

Harvey51 wrote:
I understand that heat pumps change the game but they are not used much in northern Canada because it is difficult to collect heat underground in winter at a useful temperature.

FWIW, we heat with a heat pump here in Central California. It's an air-to-air heat pump - no underground heat collection required.

Of course our temps are rarely below freezing here, and our heat pump is a multi-stage compressor variable speed high efficiency one that functions down to freezing and below quite well.

pnichols wrote:

JaxDad wrote:
The other is price of fuel, in the S & B you're paying by the metered gallon, in an RV (unless you rent a big tank) you're paying by the pound, a notoriously expensive way to do it.

Hmmm .... whenever we fill the built-in 18 gallon propane tank on our Class C motorhome the charge is always by the gallon. I usually watch the meter on the big tank at the facility that the nozzle is drawing from as they fill our tank. Those meters read in "gallons". It's been that way for all places where we have filled the tank at over the years. I've never heard of paying for propane by the pound.

Maybe it's a U.S. versus Canada difference?

Sorry if it was confusing.

This is 'general RV'ing' not one of the motorhome sections, and about the cost of heating so I answered both in broad general terms and on the basis that talk of long term cost of heat meant the unit was parked, not driving about to refill the tanks.

Obviously ASME tanks are filled based on volume not weight, it would be difficult to weigh the motorhome to see when the tank was full.

Mine uses so little of either I don't concern myself with it.
You could get analysis/paralysis studying all this stuff and in the end there is nothing you can do about it but pay up.

JaxDad wrote:


Two big differences though are, first a typical furnace in the S & B is 85 - 90% efficient, in an RV I doubt you'd get much more than 65 - 70% efficiency. The other is price of fuel, in the S & B you're paying by the metered gallon, in an RV (unless you rent a big tank) you're paying by the pound, a notoriously expensive way to do it.

4.2 pounds per gallon of propane.
Propane is sold by the gallon.
Portable cylinders are weighed when being filled (20#/30#/40#) and you are charged by metered gallon

I have never been charged by the pound....weighed yes but charged by gallon

Old-Biscuit wrote:

I have never been charged by the pound....weighed yes but charged by gallon

So then if you take a 20 pound tank in for a filling they charge you for 'X' gallons? Not flat rate to fill it?

And if the tank is not completely empty you pay less than if it's totally empty?

JaxDad wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:

I have never been charged by the pound....weighed yes but charged by gallon

So then if you take a 20 pound tank in for a filling they charge you for 'X' gallons? Not flat rate to fill it?

And if the tank is not completely empty you pay less than if it's totally empty?

If you have an honest place. I have had places just automatically charge like it is empty.
I just had a 40# tank filled in TEXAS the signage gave piece based on what # the tank was. They stopped filling when the scale balanced.
They never looked at the "Gal" meter. Now you can say it any way you like but When they fill my onboard tank they use the "GAL" meter and when they fill removable tanks they are filled on a scale.
Bill

JaxDad wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:

I have never been charged by the pound....weighed yes but charged by gallon

So then if you take a 20 pound tank in for a filling they charge you for 'X' gallons? Not flat rate to fill it?

And if the tank is not completely empty you pay less than if it's totally empty?

Correct....empty cylinder I get charged for 7.1-7.5 gallons as per meter

Partial empty..get charged for amount of gallons to fill

I don't do business if by 'flat rate'

Look and ask to see if the meter is temperature compensated.
Propane is a very expansive liquid, volume changes with temperature, unlike water. thats why DOT bottles are measured in # capacity instead of gallons or litres, & why 80% of volume is the safe fill level for all propane containers.
ASME tanks cannot be weighed,as they are an integral part of the unit so you are dependent on the meter for accurate delivery volume. and the training of the attendant to fill them safely.

Propane by the pound in my neck of Canada.
Thank goodness for Costco now selling propane.
$10 flat for 30lb tank. Other guys were $30+

Since the socialists have been elected, our electric is about to skyrocket.