Is a gas or electric furnace better? The answer to this question might be another question along the lines of, “Better for what?” There are advantages and disadvantages to both gas and electric furnaces. Before deciding which kind you should install, you need to understand all those advantages and disadvantages and consider what’s most important to you.
How Do Gas and Electric Furnaces Work?
Gas and electric furnaces are similar in many ways. They both heat air and distribute it throughout your home or commercial building via ductwork. They both regulate temperature with a thermostat. However, there is a difference in how that air is heated.
Combustion is the key to heating with gas furnaces. Natural gas ignites, and a heat exchanger heats the air. With an electric furnace, coils create the heat.
How Are Gas and Electric Furnaces Different?
Gas and electric furnaces have a number of other differences, including those related to costs, efficiency and maintenance.
Climate and Costs
A gas furnace costs less to run than an electric furnace. Furthermore, it often heats up more quickly and powerfully. Electric furnaces tend to heat more slowly because the heat comes from electrical resistance coils rather than combustion. In a cold climate like that of central Illinois, you might assume that this means that you should choose a gas furnace. However, there are a number of other factors you should consider.
Installation Costs and Long-Term Planning
In fact, looking at the cost difference between a gas and electric furnace is more complicated than how much it costs to run each type. It’s more expensive to install a gas furnace than an electric furnace. If you don’t have an existing gas line and that must be added as well, the cost difference can become a significant factor.
On the other hand, the lower operating costs of a gas furnace may balance out this expense long term. If you have the money up front to pay for the installation and you plan to stay in your house for years to come, you may save money in the long run. However, if you plan to move on in a few years, you might not have the gas furnace long enough to see the savings. The gas furnace could improve your property value when it’s time to sell, but this can be a difficult thing to predict years in advance.
Maintenance and Safety
Both types of furnaces will operate better and last longer with regular maintenance. However, maintenance can be particularly critical for a gas furnace since there can be safety issues.
The two main concerns with gas furnaces are carbon monoxide and the potential for fires or an explosion from gas leaks. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide detector if your furnace is gas. Gas leak detectors are also available. If you suspect a gas leak, you should leave the premises immediately. These issues are extremely rare, but some people would prefer not to deal with them at all.
When it comes to maintenance and repair in general, gas furnace issues can be more complex since they deal with fuel-burning. Your electrical furnace’s problems may be simpler to fix.
Lifespan
Usually, electric furnaces last longer than gas furnaces. They have a lifespan of around 20-30 years. Gas furnaces last for around 15-20 years.
Is a Gas or Electric Furnace Better for You?
If you’re on a tight budget when it comes to installation, you may need to go with an electric furnace, particularly if you don’t already have an existing gas line. You may also want to choose an electric furnace if you’re worried about the potential, however small, of carbon monoxide poisoning or gas leaks.
On the other hand, if you have the budget to install either type of system and you want the most efficient and powerful heating system, a gas furnace may be the right choice. This may also be the best choice if the cost of monthly bills is more important to you than the upfront costs of installation.
If you’re still unsure, at Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., we can help you determine which is the better choice for you.
Your Central Illinois Furnace Experts
For more than 40 years, we’ve been providing HVAC services throughout central Illinois. We have service centers in the Bloomington/Normal area, the Champaign/Urbana area and the Morton/Peoria area. We provide installation of both gas and electric furnaces along with maintenance and repair, and we service residential and commercial customers. For all of your heating needs in the central Illinois area, contact Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc..
