In this guide 5 sections
For decades the gas heater was the default in Pakistani homes. Today more families are switching to electric — because of low gas pressure, rising LPG prices and safety worries. Here is an honest comparison.
Side by side
| Electric heater | Gas heater | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront price | Rs 1,000 – 70,000 | Rs 5,000 – 30,000 + fitting |
| Running cost | Electricity units | Gas bill or LPG cylinders |
| Works with low gas pressure | Yes | No |
| Carbon monoxide | None | Risk in closed rooms |
| Gas leak risk | None | Yes |
| Installation | Plug in | Gas pipe and fitting |
| Portability | Move anywhere | Fixed near the gas point |
Running cost
Where piped gas is available at full pressure and cheap, a gas heater is usually cheaper to run for big rooms. But in winter many areas get little or no gas, and LPG is expensive. Electric heaters cost a predictable amount per hour — a 600 W sun heater uses 0.6 units an hour. See heater electricity use.
Safety
This is where electric heaters win clearly. They burn nothing, so they use no oxygen and make no carbon monoxide — see do electric heaters consume oxygen? Gas heaters must never be left on in a closed room while people sleep.
A smart mix
- Bedrooms: electric — a fan heater to warm before bed, or an oil radiator.
- Lounge: an oscillating stand heater.
- Hot water when gas is low: a water heating rod.
If you still use gas
- Never sleep with a gas heater on in a closed room.
- Keep a window slightly open.
- Check pipes and fittings for leaks every winter.
Browse all electric heaters.
