At present, there are many types of equipment used to warm up homes during winter. The most common equipment is electric and gas furnaces. Each of these pieces of equipment offers distinctive benefits. Thus, the option you choose often depends on your requirements. So, which is better? Electric vs gas furnace?

Functionality: Electric vs Gas furnace

An electric furnace and a gas furnace both incorporate a heating system. They have a thermostat that regulates the temperature in the room. When the room temperatures start dropping below average, the thermostat sends a signal to the furnace. Once the signal is sent to the gas furnace, a pilot light will turn on the burner of the heat exchanger. The burner then takes up heat from the exchanger and generates warm air into the room. On the flip side, when the thermostat sends a signal to an electric furnace, the signal activates all the heating elements in the unit. A blower fan is responsible for generating heated air into the room. After some time, the furnaces turn off their heating elements. This only happens when the room achieves its designated temperature.

Installation: Electric vs Gas furnace

There are a lot of instruction guidelines on installing both the electric and gas furnace on the internet. Even so, it is always advisable to hire a professional heating installation company to handle the project. This way, you’ll avoid many safety risks.

Gas furnace installation can be dangerous to inexperienced individuals. This is because gas furnaces require you to deal with natural gas. In the event of leakages, a gas furnace can lead to a severe home fire. When installing a gas furnace, you need to try your level best to prevent carbon monoxide leakage. Excessive inhalation of carbon monoxide can lead to death. So, seal the heat exchanger and all other openings in the furnace. Avoid conducting a DIY gas furnace installation at all costs. Only a professional has the right equipment needed to install a gas furnace.

On the other hand, installing an electric furnace requires you to deal with heavy wiring. Failure to install the wires correctly can lead to the malfunctioning of the furnace. Additionally, it may not be safe to install a lot of cables by yourself. An electric furnace often requires high voltage; thus, it would be best to leave the job to professionals. Every state has guidelines regarding electric furnace installation. If you don’t know them, it would be best to leave the job to a professional.

Heat and Energy Efficiency: Electric vs Gas

Experts report that an electric furnace is more energy-efficient. Typically, energy-efficient means the amount of energy converted into heat by the furnace. Unlike a gas furnace, an electric furnace does not use fuel to function. A gas furnace requires fuel to function. The amount of gas needed by such furnaces often varies depending on different factors. An electric furnace converts all its energy into heat while gas furnaces do not. The model of the gas furnace unit will determine whether all the energy gets converted into heat. Even so, despite being less energy-efficient, gas furnaces will heat your home faster.

Gas furnaces radiate hotter air, hence the reason why they heat your home faster. Electric coils in electric furnaces are usually not able to produce very hot air like gas furnaces. As a result, most homeowners prefer using gas furnaces to electric furnaces. However, note that the option you choose depends on your requirements. For instance, if you live in warmer regions, an electric furnace would work perfectly for you. This is because you won’t need too much heat from it.

Costs

Usually, a gas furnace is more costly than an electric furnace. Additionally, it is more expensive to install a gas furnace. Based on previous statistics, the cost of an electric furnace lies between $1,000 to $2,500. A gas furnace, on the other hand, costs about $3,000 to $4,000 upon purchase. The installation costs of a gas furnace range between $1,500 to $2,000, while those of an electric furnace are $1,000 to $1,500. Although a gas furnace is expensive, it is more energy-efficient than an electric furnace. Thus, it offers better functionality at the end of the day.

Nonetheless, note that an electric furnace is more expensive to maintain. This is because it uses electricity. Thus, this heating equipment can significantly increase your electricity bill.

Lifespan

When it comes to durability, electric furnaces win. An electric furnace can last up to 30 years, while a gas furnace can last 20 years. Of course, the lifespan of each piece of equipment depends on how you take good care of it. A gas furnace is more susceptible to damage. If not cleaned properly, a gas furnace can fail to function.

Moreover, corrosion is common in gas furnaces. Electric furnaces also need maintenance. But they are less vulnerable to corrosion and damage. As a result, they are likely to last longer.

The best option: Electric vs Gas furnace

Both electric and gas furnaces offer unique pros and cons. Thus, before installing a heating system, weigh the pros and cons. Here at Bishops HVAC, we take you through the differences between an electric vs gas furnace. This way, you’ll be able to make a good purchase decision.