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Re:New York to Ban Natural Gas, Including Stoves, in New Bui... by its-summertime on Saturday April 29, 2023 @02:07PM (#35755471)
But is it more efficient overall? Gas to elec, infrastructure losses, etc. vs just gas to heat?
Re:New York to Ban Natural Gas, Including Stoves, in New Bui... by scatters on Saturday April 29, 2023 @02:19PM (#35755580)
Sure. A heat pump only needs to be 170% efficient to make back the generation losses. As for infrastructure losses, natural gas distribution has leaks as well.

Also, if the power plant is integrated into a CHP system to heat nearby households then generation gets back some percent.

Re:New York to Ban Natural Gas, Including Stoves, in New Bui... by rgmerk on Saturday April 29, 2023 @06:47PM (#35758021)
Good point.

Methane leaks are much more environmentally damaging than often appreciated because methane is such a potent greenhouse gas.

Re:New York to Ban Natural Gas, Including Stoves, in New Bui... by jasonwatkinspdx on Saturday April 29, 2023 @03:03PM (#35755988)
Heat pumps are dramatically more efficient. A good gas furnace is 95% efficient. Meanwhile, a ductless heat pump can be 300%. They more more energy than they consume. That's the huge advantage.

Converting gas heat to heat pumps, even if they have a gas heat backup for worst case days in northern latitudes, would still be a big win in the net environmentally.