Is there a way to tell whether I have gas or electric heat, other than turning it on and watching the meter?

Question

I'm renting, and my landlord doesn't know.

Answer 1

If it has a metal gas pipe going to it , its gas.

Answer 2

Look at your furnace. If there's a small pipe connected to it, it's gas. Gas furnaces will also have an exhaust vent: either have a white plastic pipe (or two) that goes outside OR a metal pipe that connects to a chimney of some sort that goes through the roof.

If you have a boiler instead of a furnace (probably with radiators instead of vents that blow air into the house), chances are very low that it's electric. It could be gas or oil.

If you have baseboard heaters in the rooms, each with its own thermostat, then you have electric heat. (There are also electric furnaces, but they're relatively rare.)

If you have something a heat pump instead of a furnace, it's probably electric.

Answer 3

To keep it really simple; If you have electric heat you'll have a thermostat in each room and a heater in each room on the wall near the floor. Anything else and it's probably gas (there are several different kinds of gas heater systems)

Answer 4

your LANDLORD doesn't KNOW?????..... really......

look outside for a gas meter..... there will be some sort of wording on the meters out there to distinguish them... electric meter has a wheel that spins constantly, usually..... gas meters have dials with numbers on them, usually four of the dials...... unless your area has gone digital,t hat is.....

I'd be really concerned about my landlord...... if he doesn't know this, how's he gonna fix a dripping faucet?????.... egads!....

Answer 5

if all your appliances(stove, water heater, dryer) are electric, there's a good chance your heat is also.

you could also look at your heater, there should be a gas line    connected to it. if not, you can guess, right?