Heat strips not needed with gas furnace backup.

Your friend has a dual fuel system.

He should have dual fuel thermostat as well as outdoor temp sensor.

IMO

he says he has heat strips as well. and a hotwater infloor heat loop for his garage. i think he has a gas fired, hot water heater which provides the heating for his garage. they bought house in june. he says the prior elec bills were about $250 each month on avg which seems awful high since house is only about 1500sf/foundation. multi-story. not a big house.