These days you have plenty of choices when it comes to your home heating systems. Choosing a system that uses the fuel that's right for you, can save you time and money. The two most common choices for furnaces are either electric or gas powered. Which one is best, and which is right for you? Here's everything that you need to know.
Gas Furnaces
A
gas furnace uses natural gas to heat your home. They're a very popular option, especially in areas with access to natural gas. Here are the pros and cons of using such a system:
First, natural gas is a very cheap way of heating your home. Typically, they work out to cost less than electric heaters, so if you're worried about ongoing operating costs, you'll want to investigate gas-powered furnaces.
A gas furnace is also very efficient at heating your home. When they're in use, a gas furnace operates at up to 98% efficiency meaning there's very little energy lost during the heating process. Again, this saves you money as you're not paying for heat that escapes into the atmosphere. This is good news for people who are looking to reduce their impact on the environment, as well.
Gas furnace powered heating systems are larger than electric ones, so you'll need more room for it in your home. They also need to be able to vent off the gases that create during the heating process, such as CO2. If CO2 isn't able to vent off properly, it can cause problems and lead to CO2 leaks in your home. While you'll have systems in place to detect leaks, it’s still something you'll have to watch out for.
Your gas furnace also needs regular
maintenance to work at peak efficiency. This is important when it comes to your safety, so you'll need to ensure that you call in a professional to take care of it annually.
Electric Furnaces
Electric furnaces use electricity to heat your home, rather than gas and are popular in homes that don't have access to natural gas. They have a lot of unique advantages that you may be interested in.
- Pros of Electric Furnaces
An electric furnace is a lot smaller than a gas one, so you'll need far less room to house one. Thanks to their smaller size, an electric house furnace is a lot quieter in their operation, too. If you've had problems with loud and noisy furnaces in the past, you'll really appreciate having a quieter system.
Additionally, these furnaces don't give off any by-products, so there are no emissions. It's incredibly safe, so you'll never have to worry about the furnace having problems later down the line.
- Cons of Electric Furnaces
The main problem with electric heaters is that they're more expensive overall to use and heat your home with. However, you can offset these costs with other heating options that your HVAC operative can walk you through, but you should be prepared to pay more for your heating when using electric.
Also, you need to be aware that in particularly cold temperatures, an electric furnace may struggle to maintain a warm indoor temperature in your home.
Which Should You Choose?
So, which is better, electric or gas? It really depends on you and your needs. Both operate at a similar level, and they'll both last for about 20 years. If you don't have natural gas access in your home, you'll probably default to an electric furnace. You'll also decide on electric if you want a quieter system with no by-products. If you want a super-efficient system though, a gas furnace is a way to go. They're also great if you live in a cold climate, as they'll are better suited to cope with lower temperatures.
Based on this information, you should be able to pick the furnace that's right for you, and if you still have questions feel free to reach out to one of our friendly and professional staff members who can assist you in making your decision.
