Furnaces are suitable tools when outside temperatures drop and nighttime chills set in. They are helpful during the cold months, whether you’re hosting guests or trying to prevent pipes from freezing. A heating service will install either a gas or an electric furnace, which is beneficial when there are sudden and extreme temperature drops. Here are a few tips on how to choose between gas and electric furnaces:
Heating Speed
Electric furnaces can sometimes heat more slowly than gas furnaces because they rely on electric resistance, though heating speed also depends on furnace size, home insulation, and layout. In freezing weather, gas furnaces can reach the desired temperature within a short time and provide sufficient heat for large open living rooms or cold basements. Gas furnaces often heat spaces faster than electric units, which can be helpful when multiple rooms or large areas need warming. For people in mild climates, electric furnaces work well because they handle smaller temperature swings efficiently.
Safety Risks
Gas furnaces produce combustion gases such as carbon monoxide, while electric furnaces do not emit any combustion byproducts. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, which can make gas furnaces hazardous in confined spaces like basements. Electric furnaces do not produce combustion gases and do not require venting, making them easy to install safely in living areas. Gas furnaces are also safe when properly installed and vented by a heating service professional.
Regular maintenance of gas furnaces, including repairs to cracked heat exchangers, helps prevent fumes from mixing with circulating warm air. Electric furnaces can be a safer option in areas where venting is difficult or flammable materials are stored. This is due to the fact that they don’t produce combustion byproducts. They also avoid issues like soot buildup or flame rollout that can occur with gas units.
Maintenance Complexity
Electric furnaces have fewer moving parts than gas furnaces, which include ignition systems that wear out over time. While electric units usually require only filter changes, gas furnaces need regular inspections to monitor combustion safety and check for leaks. These inspections may be more frequent in family homes with children or older houses with aging vent systems. In modern buildings with limited service access, an electric furnace without heat exchangers can be a practical option.
Some older gas furnaces may require more frequent maintenance, such as blower lubrication, which can be less convenient in small or hard-to-access spaces. In larger suburban homes, gas units can be cost-effective but require regular servicing to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide buildup. Electric furnaces are also well-suited for high-allergy households or multi-unit residences where minimizing maintenance and replacement visits is preferred. These options provide simple heating for historic homes or rural properties with delicate infrastructure or unstable power.
Energy Efficiency
Electric furnaces convert almost all incoming electricity into heat at the point of use, making them highly efficient locally. Gas furnaces lose some energy through combustion, although modern condensing models improve efficiency. Electric furnaces can maintain consistent temperatures in smaller rooms. Gas furnaces may heat larger or poorly insulated spaces more quickly, depending on the system and home layout. Areas with limited ventilation, such as attics, may be better suited to electric furnaces. These options eliminate the need for venting and reduce the risk of airflow issues.
Working With a Heating Service
While gas furnaces heat a space quickly, they come with combustion risks that require extensive safety controls. Electric furnaces are easier to maintain and highly energy-efficient, but they take longer to warm indoor spaces. It’s also easier to install electric furnaces because they don’t require gas supply lines and venting. Contact a heating service today that will help you install a gas or electric furnace.