Gas is a highly efficient and clean form of heating and it's relatively inexpensive to run. It's also healthier for your body and is better for the environment, creating fewer greenhouse gas emissions than electricity and inefficient solid fuel heaters.


Environmental benefits

The build-up of greenhouse gas emissions is a major concern, which makes natural gas a responsible choice for home heating.

Research commissioned by the Australian Gas Association* found that gas is well ahead of other forms of heating in limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

For example, natural gas space heaters release one-third the emissions produced by heating from black coal generated electricity.

Smoke from solid fuel heaters also contribute to air pollution and they are less energy efficient with a large percentage of heat lost up the chimney or flue.

(*Source: Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Natural Gas, Australian Gas Association 2000.)


Health benefits

Air processed by electric heaters, such as reverse cycle air-conditioners, can dry out the air, irritating the skin, eyes and throat.  The outcome is no better from wood heaters which emit small particles in the smoke that can be harmful to health.

Gas heating, on the other hand, results in a high comfort level and an asthma-safe environment.


Efficiency

One of the great benefits of ducted gas and gas space heating is that they work efficiently no matter how cold it is outside.

That's not the case with many reverse cycle electric systems that lose their efficiency when the outside temperature drops below 5°C - just when they are needed most.


Running costs

People switching to gas heating are often surprised at how inexpensive they are to run.

In a 2004 survey Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria found that gas ducted heating is far cheaper to operate than any other form of central heating system, including reverse cycle air conditioning.