Housing Question

[Sarge]

This is is a little off the wall, but I am going to be building a house in Arizona on some land. I am trying to figure out if I would be better off with heating with Propane, or just having an all electric house. I am not in the city limits, and city utilities are not an option. Any help from you guys with experience in this area is greatly appreciated. Sarge

 

[NVR FNSH]

Where in AZ? What about building to take advantage of solar heat? When you say all electric I presume you mean a generator?



Brian

 

[TboneMan]

Propane cost vary considerably based on delivery distance and supply/demand.



Is your question:

Propane forced air furnace vs. electric base board hear?



If so, I am assume (since your are in AZ) you will be installing air conditioning. If this is the case, since you will be installing duct work for the AC you might be best off using propane for heat.



Propane is also more efficient for clothes dryers, cooking, hot water heaters, fire places... .

 

[Gray Ghost]

Depends on which part of AZ you are moving to. If it is in the southern part, you will need very little heat and a big swamp cooler/AC. I understand they have a dual unit now. I lived in Phoenix for 5 years and I always wanted to go that route.

Electricity isn't cheap from Salty River. If you plan your house correctly to take advantage of solar heat, you will need very little propane. A 250 gal tank will last me from Feb thru Sept. here in Hempstead(Houston).

If you go to the northern half, Plan on solar with propane backup.

Put in a nice wood stove and you will always have heat. A swamp cooler will probable take care of all your cooling needs. My brother lived in Farmington NM and that's all he had. Never was hot in his house. Sometimes I got down right chilly.

Remember plan plan plan solar. Cost you a little up front, but will save you a ton in the future. Energy is going nowhere but up.

Lots of luck, wish it was me.

My 2 cents

 

[Sarge]

Sierra Vista

The property is in the Southeast corner of Arizona. I will be at 4600 foot elevation, so it will not be blistering hot. I am comparing propane heating and cooking, as compared to using shore power (City Power), in other words, an all electric house. I am also considering solar, but have no idea as yet as to the start up cost. Hope this clears up my question. Sarge Oo.

 

[Todd T]

just tooting my horn here but I think Propane is cheaper than electric. I just paid . 83 a gallon to fill my tank for the year. that's $249 to heat (house and water) and cook with for a YEAR.