Gas Vs Electric Furnace: Which One Is For Me?
While it generally comes down to preference, there are some major differences between gas and electric furnaces.
Let’s take a look at each one to see which kind is right for you.
Gas Furnaces
The majority of homes in the United states are heated by a gas furnace.
If you are looking for the hottest “heat”, a gas furnace is definitely the way to go.
However, it is important to note that you must have a natural gas connection at your home to be able to utilize a gas furnace.
Amazing, I know.
Gas furnaces are incredibly safe, but you must also have a carbon monoxide detector installed with it to verify it is venting properly and not leaking any of the deadly CO gas into your home.
Another great benefit of a gas furnace vs an electric one is that it uses much less electricity to run.
Assuming you have regular maintenance on your gas furnace, you should not have any major furnace repairs needed.
Most gas furnaces can last 15 years or more if taken care of.
Electric Furnaces
For those without access to natural gas, this is one route to go when it comes to heating.
An electric furnace essentially does that exact same thing as a gas furnace, but it heats your home by using electric heat strips.
These types of furnaces are actually the most efficient believe it or not, as all of the heat it generates is used to heat your home.
With a gas furnace, some of the gas used is vented out of your home during the combustion process.
Electric furnaces are generally the least expensive furnace to install as well, generally costing anywhere from $500-$2,000.
Electric furnaces generally cannot heat as well as gas furnaces however.
A gas fired flame is always the hottest!
Another downside to electric furnaces is the electric costs it can take to run them, especially when it gets really cold outside.
However, in some areas where natural gas costs are expensive, some people choose to have an electric furnace installed to save some money on utility costs.
