Re:US utilities have finally realized electric cars may save...
by dsfyu404ed on Friday March 16, 2018 @11:59AM
(#16601506)
>An electric water heater is the only way to go truly "net zero"
Typically electricity are the worst in places where this is a meaningful benefit to consumers because the state usually has policies about sourcing its electricity that take environmental impact into account in such a way that price is driven through the roof.
Paying a premium for green energy is the best thing states can do to discourage conversion from fossil fuels to electric power.
Re:US utilities have finally realized electric cars may save...
by jdavis703 on Friday March 16, 2018 @11:45AM
(#16601412)
$20/month just for a hookup sounds crazy. In California I pay around $20/month total for both gas and electric (and specifically renewables coming from the grid). I'm not sure if there are other utilities available in you area, but it sounds like you're getting ripped off.
Re:US utilities have finally realized electric cars may save...
by gascan on Friday March 16, 2018 @12:10PM
(#16601573)
There's just the one choice for me. The per-therm price is really low so it's fine in the winter, but now that the furnace is the only thing on gas, I wonder if I can suspend service over the summer.
- An electric water heater is the only way to go truly "net zero"
- You can power it with solar panels
- Your gas company might have a high fixed charge (e.g. I pay $20/mo just for the hookup)
- Routing gas lines & exhaust can get expensive and quickly wipe out fuel savings
- Cutting gas service completely eliminates combustion concerns. No worries about combustion air, no carbon monoxide, etc.
- Electric might still be the service of the future; electric appliances are a bet on renewables
Now, a tankless electric can also get expensive if you wind up needing to upgrade your electric service. Which is why I ultimately went from tanked gas to tanked electric.