A heat pump water heater, for instance, uses less gas than a gas water heater, assuming the electricity is produced by burning gas.Electric resistance heat is expensive and inefficient.A power outage in Houston is almost never an emergency except in the coldest storms every 50 years.When the power goes out your gas heat generally becomes unusable as well, because you still need electricity to run your blower motor.

As far as funds for repairs/emergencies, I take a safety in numbers approach to it.

The building is on well and septic and has a generator for storms that ensures heat, water, and emergency lights,  no apartment electric. 

Some people ware not willing to step up in an emergency.

They learn to control their spending, show up for work, have an emergency fund and pay rent on time.

Whether you’re exploring emerging or established neighborhoods, you want the inside track.

They agreed to stay in a hotel that I paid for while I get a crew to put in some emergency supports in the morning.

Sounds like you are going to need them so find them now before it is an emergency.  

Call the non emergency line for your police for the cars. 

https://www.wdrb.com/in-depth/...This is an emerging area in our market.