Gas vs. Electric Furnaces

Regardless if you are building a new house or just replacing your outdated furnace, you have an key decision to make: Should you buy a gas furnace or shift to an electric unit? Or might a heat pump be the right choice? To assist in your decision-making process, Service Experts would like to provide a few comparisons between gas and electric furnaces, as well as offer our thoughts about when you should consider heat pumps.

Gas vs. Electric Furnace Installation Costs and Needs

Gas furnaces are typically more expensive in terms of equipment price and the cost of labor for installation than electric furnaces. The equipment by itself has additional components that are not required in an electric model, which leads to a higher production cost, thus a higher retail price. Then, gas furnaces demand more complicated installation and ventilation systems to properly remove 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 install those as well.

In contrast, electric furnaces are relatively simple to install, they won’t need as much space as gas, and do not necessitate a ventilation system because there is no fuel used. That said, they will need connectivity to a 240-volt electrical circuit, which isn’t available in some older homes. As such, you will most likely want an electrician to install a new receptacle and upgrade your electric panel.

Gas vs. Electric Furnace Efficiency and Energy Costs

The significant up-front price of a gas furnace normally pays for itself rather quickly because it’s considerably less expensive to operate than an electric furnace. This may surprise you, given that electric furnaces can achieve higher annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). In the end, it boils down to the lower per-unit price of natural gas when compared to electricity, which typically overcomes even a significant difference in AFUE ratings.

Naturally, energy costs may be different by region and change over time, thereby making electricity less costly in some areas. It would also makes sense to buy an electric heating system if you are planning to use eco-friendly solar panels on your home. Bear in mind, heat pumps normally cost significantly less to operate than electric furnaces, so look at this option if you wish to save with an electric-based heating system.

Heat pumps run on the same principles as an air conditioner, utilizing refrigerant to move heat rather than generating it from a fuel source. For that matter, thanks to a reversing valve, heat pumps can act as efficient air conditioners throughout the summer, eliminating the need to add an independent cooling system.

While efficiency and cost are two of the positives, heat pumps have some negative aspects. Because they draw out heat from cold air, the delivery temperature is much lower than the gas or electric furnaces. Standard heat pumps must also depend on a less than efficient electric resistance heater during bitter-cold periods. While this will assure home comfort, it also raises your energy 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

There’s no doubt that gas and electric furnaces are reliable at keeping your home warm, however gas furnaces are likely to be more powerful and quicker at increasing the temperature of large spaces. Gas furnaces produce heat by burning natural gas, which creates hot air that spreads across the home via ductwork. Alternatively, electric furnaces use electrical resistance heating, which usually takes more time to ramp up.

Gas vs. Electric Furnace Fuel Availability

The selection of a gas or electric furnace may well come down to what fuels are obtainable in your community. Gas furnaces must have access to a natural gas line, which may or may not be an option. Even if gas is accessible, you may be unable to afford the cost of installing the gas line, which is understandable. As such, an electric furnace or heat pump may be the only feasible option for keeping your home comfortable in the winter.

Gas vs. Electric Furnace Maintenance and Safety

Both gas and electric furnaces would need consistent maintenance to guarantee safe and efficient performance. But gas furnaces demand added maintenance, such as regular inspections and cleaning of the gas burners and heat exchanger. Naturally, electric furnaces still require routine filter changes and examinations of the heating elements and blower motor.

From a safety standpoint, gas furnaces carry a limited risk of carbon monoxide leaks if not taken care of or installed appropriately. This is the reason you should prioritize routine inspections and never try to install the furnace on your own. Electric furnaces can’t leak carbon monoxide, but they still require professional installation and maintenance to verify safe functionality.

Install a New Gas or Electric Furnace

For guidance in choosing the ideal home heating system for your home, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We can assess your special circumstances and help you make an educated decision about which type of furnace to install. We’re so confident you’ll be delighted with our services that we provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee! For more information or to set up a free furnace installation estimate, please contact a Service Experts office near you.