Looking at New Homes

[chazz1996]

Can soneone help answer a question about the new "ALL ELECTRIC" homes in TV.
Asuming all electric means hot water, stove,clothes dryer and house heatand anything else I have forgotten.
What woul be the cost diffrence between gas and electric on a patio or courtyard villa?
Thanks all for any help .

Charlie looking :pepper2:

[GrayGoose]

YEP that is about it.. Heat and Cooling is done with a Heat Pump

[BogeyBoy]

I have a 1600 sq ft courtyard villa - all electric. Also have a 1927 sq ft designer- which is gas/electric. The villa costs about 20-30% more in electric than the designer's gas and electric. BUT - we did a lot of upgraded insulation in the designer to make it more energy efficient. (We even insulated the lanai and garage and I really notice a difference in the two garages this time of year.)

Bottom line - I think the villa is okay as far as efficiency but I am thinking of adding some insulation upgrades.

[Army Guy]

I can answer your question. Although we just purchased in TV last month and have not gotten an electric bill yet. Our house in Alabama is an all electric house. Heat pump for heating/cooling (don't let the name fool you!) It is actually called that cause it pulls heat out of the air and places it where wanted. In the winter go outside when running and air coming out of the compressor is cool as heck. In the summer it comes out hot.
But compared to homes here in Alabama, and all-electric home is way cheaper then those that also have gas. Our average electric bill year round is $150.00 and that is for EVERYTHING. So we are very happy to continue in TV in our all-electric CYV.

Army Guy

[batman911]

Another thing to consider is if the area is ever hit by a wind storm. You could lose electrical power for weeks but will probably not lose gas service. Just a thought.

[katezbox]

Another thing to consider is if the area is ever hit by a wind storm. You could lose electrical power for weeks but will probably not lose gas service. Just a thought.


Batman,

Not true at all. If a major hurricane hits, it will interrupt natural gas sites throughout the southeast. If you don't believe me, look at pipeline company websites. One I am familiar with is Colonial Pipeline if Alpharetta, GA. They have a whole page on their website on hurricane preparedness and how to minimize the issues they encountered after Katrina, Rita, et al.

k

[Army Guy]

Kate is right on. Believe it or not even water is impacted. When wide spread electric failure occurs, everything goes. It make take a little bit of time, but all other systems slowly fail.

Army Guy

[batman911]

You will not lose gas service if you have an under ground tank in your yard as would be the case in TV in areas were gas is not available as an option.

[bobfl]

Cap and trade will probably cause electric rates to soar making all electric homes very expensive to heat and cool.

[ricthemic]

You will not lose gas service if you have an under ground tank in your yard as would be the case in TV in areas were gas is not available as an option.

The underground tank would be LP(liquid propane). All natural gas appliances would/MUST require a minor retrofit.
Does TV allow underground fuel tanks? If so I hope they are installed, anchored and inspected properly. LP delivered by tanker truck cost more than natural gas. I agree with a previous post. Electric does and will cost more than gas. The air to air heat pumps while in heating or cooling mode still require the compressor, condenser and evaporator fans to run. And many will have electric resistance backup heating coils in supply duct (very expensive to operate)

[katezbox]

The underground tank would be LP(liquid propane). All natural gas appliances would/MUST require a minor retrofit.
Does TV allow underground fuel tanks? If so I hope they are installed, anchored and inspected properly. LP delivered by tanker truck cost more than natural gas. I agree with a previous post. Electric does and will cost more than gas. The air to air heat pumps while in heating or cooling mode still require the compressor, condenser and evaporator fans to run. And many will have electric resistance backup heating coils in supply duct (very expensive to operate)

TV does allow underground fuel tanks. In Bonita (where no natural gas lines were installed), many of us have LP tanks. Yes, they need a permit. Yes they require inspection. And you are right that "regular" gas appliances would require a refit. We use ours for an LP gas stove; our neighbor has one for his grill and to heat the pool.


I disagree on the cost of electric. We are having a hotter than expected summer here in TV. Our most recent will was a bit less than our electric bill up north that included NO heating or cooling for a similarly-sized home.

Bobfl - can you explain in more detail how cap and trade will drive up electric costs? Why would they not drive up gas costs as well?

AG - I agree with your post on hurricane damage. As an old water co girl, water is one of the hardest hit commodities in hurricane, tornado or flood. Damage from the storm can rupture mains and service lines and heavy rains and flooding can contaminate the system.

If you are looking for a way to cook/boil water after a storm, why not a simple gas camp stove?

[English Ivy]

[QUOTE=katezbox;213703]AG - I agree with your post on hurricane damage. As an old water co girl, water is one of the hardest hit commodities in hurricane, tornado or flood. Damage from the storm can rupture mains and service lines and heavy rains and flooding can contaminate the system.QUOTE]

I can relate to that! When we returned to our house in Gulfport MS after evacuating to Memphis during Katrina (we stayed 5 nights in Memphis before we were told it was ok to return) our electric and phone service had already been restored by the time we got home. Our house was located about ten miles inland. But we were under a boil water alert for 10 days after we got home. And since they said don't shower in the water if you have any cuts or scrapes (and who doesn't have a little nick someplace on their body?) we "showered" with pitchers of boiled water.

We had it so easy in those early days after Katrina compared to all the people who lost everything, and I'm talking in Mississippi not New Orleans, but it's an experience I'll never forget. If a hurricane with the force of Katrina, Rita or Wilma were to come ashore in central florida it is possible The Villages could be in for a very rough ride. I hope it never happens.

[Ohiogirl]

I've had both combinations, several times. In the Villages, I have gas heat, hot water tank, stove. Haven't had a long-term electrical outage yet down there, but just had one here in Ohio last September (our first hurricane). No elec for about 6 days in our neighborhood. Still was able to take hot showers and cook on the stove (and the LP gas grill with a portable tank). Only real inconvenience was no hairdryer and no coffeemaker. Would have been a lot tougher without gas service. Have also been in 2-3 ice storms leaving no electric for several days, but again, happened to have gas (and a fireplace).

IMHO would be more likely to just have a few days elec outage in the Villages from bad storms than gasline disruption from a major hurricane where The Villages is located. Still would be able to cook and take warm/hot showers when desired.

I was living in Houston during a minor hurricane (Alicia - Category 1) and was without electricity in August for several days. Had gas h/w heater. Still could take a warm shower (you don't want a hot one in Houston w/o air conditioning working in August anyway, but I personally don't want a cold shower, ever. Can't remember if I had a gas range, but who wants to cook in 97 degree heat anyway.

Anyhow, my point is that I would rather have the gas/elec combination in The Villages if I had my druthers, but don't think I would make my decision on buying based on that. Most of the time, doubt if it really makes much difference. I don't like heat pump heating up north (because it feels colder), but heating isn't a big issue in Florida anyway.

[784caroline]

If a storm of any type knocks out the electricy, you may still have a gas connection in your furnace..BUT you will still need electricity to power the motor and fans to distribute the hot air

[Bob S]

I would have to agree with the last 2 postings. We have lived through several power outages in the northeast of several days duration. We never lost gas or phone service. We were able to use the stove to cook and our gas insert fireplace to keep somewhat warm in one room. The main furnace would not run due to lack of electricity to the blower. Hot water was still available due to a gas fed hot water tank. Several neighbors with only electric suffered more than we did and came over to use our remaining amenities.

In TV, I am in an all electric house and will lose those gas perks. Cooking would not be such a problem using either a camp stove like Kate suggested or a patio gas grill. I still plan on bringing my generator and having a transfer switch installed. Has anyone installed such a switch in TV? I installed my own in Buffalo but the breaker box was not flush mounted as it is in TV. To install there would seem to require punching through the wall to access the breaker box.

[Niels]

I have both a gas furnace and a gas hot water heater in my home in Albany, NY. But it doesn't matter if I don't have electricity. Even if I have gas, nothing will work without electricity. The furnace needs electrcity to operate the blowers and the electronic start. The hot water heater has an electric inducer to bring in air from outside the house. Without electricity, the hot water heater doesn't work either.

If I have to go for an extended period of time without electricity, maybe its time to consider going to a hotel out of the affected area. :shrug:

[batman911]

There are permanently installed gas powered electric generators available that you can have installed next to your home. The generator would provide sufficient electrical power to run the AC/heating air handlers and all other normal house electrical loads. Probably not worth the expense in TV but would be if you lived near the coast.

[bluedog103]

Do you the names of companies who can install the underground propane tank and gas plumbing? We're having a home built in St. Charles and would like to have this done as soon after the closing as possible. We'd like to swap out the hot water heater and stove right after the closing as well or better yet have the gas appliances delivered in the first place.
Our sales rep said he doesn't know too much about this, other than that folks have it done.

[katezbox]

Do you the names of companies who can install the underground propane tank and gas plumbing? We're having a home built in St. Charles and would like to have this done as soon after the closing as possible. We'd like to swap out the hot water heater and stove right after the closing as well or better yet have the gas appliances delivered in the first place.
Our sales rep said he doesn't know too much about this, other than that folks have it done.

Hey bluedog,

Our gas was installed by Jerry Franklin - his number is 352-347-5567 or 352-266-1403. He was recommended by our TV builder.

k

[bluedog103]

Thanks Katezboz, I'll give them a call.