Gas vs. Electric Furnaces

Regardless if you are building a new house or just replacing your outdated furnace, you have an significant decision to make: Will you install a gas furnace or an electric furnace? Or could a heat pump be the best option for you? In order to help you choose, Service Experts would like to share some comparisons between gas and electric furnaces, along with our thoughts about where heat pumps come into play.

Gas vs. Electric Furnace Installation Costs and Needs

Gas furnaces are generally more expensive in terms of equipment price and the cost of labor for installation than electric furnaces. The equipment by itself has additional parts that are not required in an electric system, which leads to a higher production cost, thus a higher retail price. Also, gas furnaces call for more advanced installation and ventilation systems to safely get rid of combustion gases from the home. This would mean you need more space to handle the installation. Plus, if you don’t already have a gas line and appliance hookup, you’ll need to factor in that expense too.

On the other hand, electric furnaces are quite simple to install, they can fit into a smaller space, and do not require a ventilation system due to the fact that there are no fumes from combustion fuels. That said, they will require connectivity to a 240-volt electrical circuit, which isn’t always present in some older homes. In this case, you will probably want an electrician to set up a new receptacle and upgrade your electric panel.

Gas vs. Electric Furnace Efficiency and Energy Costs

The increased up-front expense of a gas furnace normally pays for itself rather quickly because it’s often less expensive to run than an electric furnace. That might shock you (no pun intended), considering that electric furnaces are likely to achieve higher annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). In the end, it boils down to the lower per-unit price of natural gas compared to electricity, which often overcomes even a substantial difference in AFUE ratings.

Naturally, energy costs may be different by region and change over time, making electricity less costly in some instances. We’d also recommend choosing an electric heating system if you have or want to add solar panels to your home. Bear in mind, heat pumps normally cost considerably less to operate than electric furnaces, so consider this option if you expect to save with an electric-based heating system.

Heat pumps run on the same principles as an air conditioner, utilizing refrigerant to shift heat rather than producing it from a fuel source. As a matter of fact, thanks to a reversing valve, heat pumps can double as efficient air conditioners in the summer, eliminating the need to add a separate cooling system.

Although there are plenty of good things to say about them, heat pumps have some drawbacks. Due to the fact they extract heat from cold air, the delivery temperature is considerably lower than that of gas or electric furnaces. Conventional heat pumps must also fall back on an inefficient electric resistance heater during bitter-cold periods. While this guarantees home comfort, it will also increase your utility bills. Cold-climate heat pumps offer better performance at low temperatures, and you’ll want to look into this option if you live in a subzero winter climate.

Gas vs. Electric Furnace Heating Effectiveness

Without question, gas and electric furnaces are effective at keeping your home warm, however gas furnaces are usually more powerful and faster at increasing the temperature of large spaces. Gas furnaces create heat by burning natural gas, which forms hot air that disperses across the home via ductwork. In comparison, electric furnaces use electrical resistance heating, and it simply takes longer to get up to speed.

Gas vs. Electric Furnace Fuel Supply

The choice of a gas or electric furnace might boil down to what fuels are accessible in your region. Gas furnaces require access to a natural gas line, which may or may not be an option. Even if you can get natural gas, you may not want to pay to install a line, which is understandable. As such, an electric furnace or heat pump may be the only feasible alternative for ensuring your home is cozy this coming winter.

Gas vs. Electric Furnace Maintenance and Safety

Both gas and electric furnaces would need consistent maintenance to assure safe and efficient performance. But gas furnaces will need extra maintenance, including regular inspections and cleaning of the gas burners and heat exchanger. Remember, electric furnaces still need scheduled filter changes and inspections of the heating elements and blower motor.

From a safety standpoint, gas furnaces bring a small risk of carbon monoxide leakage if not maintained or installed well. This is the reason you should prioritize standard inspections and in no way try to install the furnace on your own. Electric furnaces can’t leak carbon monoxide, but they still should have professional installation and maintenance to guarantee safe operation.

Install a New Gas or Electric Furnace

For help choosing the optimum home heating system for your home, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We can analyze your distinct circumstances and help you make an educated decision about what type of furnace to purchase. We’re so confident you’ll be delighted with our services that we have a 100% satisfaction guarantee! To learn more or to set up a free furnace installation estimate, please contact a Service Experts office near you.