Choosing a new furnace for your home is a big job. It’s a decision that you’ll have to live with for a decade or longer. After all, the average furnace lifespan is 10 to 15 years. When it comes to choosing an electric or gas furnace, there are some pros and cons to each one.
If you’re looking at electric furnaces in Fort Wayne, IN, our team can help. We can complete an in-home assessment and review all of your furnace options with you. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of an electric furnace compared to a gas furnace.
Pros of an Electric Furnace
If you don’t already have gas lines connected at your home, an electric furnace is an excellent choice. It doesn’t require any extra connections. Plus, if you already have a central air conditioner or heat pump in place, upgrading it to a newer model is very simple. All of the existing connections should line up with your new heat pump.
Electric heat pumps (like all heaters) come in a variety of efficiency ratings. If you’re looking for a more affordable model, you can get a heat pump with a slightly lower, but still effective, efficiency rating. If saving on your monthly energy cost is a priority, you can choose a heat pump with a higher efficiency rating. Here in the U.S. the minimum efficiency rating is 80. A rating of 90 or higher indicates a high-efficiency model.
An electric furnace also eliminates some of the safety concerns that you find with gas furnaces. After all, gas can leak and you might not identify the leak right away since gas is colorless and odorless. This can put your family’s health at risk as well as introducing fire hazards.
Cons of an Electric Furnace
Although electric furnaces are sometimes considered more energy efficient compared to a gas furnace, they still take longer to heat up. Gas furnaces may consume more energy during the combustion process, but they also produce heat faster and more effectively – potentially using less energy overall.
Electric furnaces may be more affordable for installation, but you’re going to spend more on energy costs over the life of the unit compared to having a gas furnace. You have to consider which type of savings is more important for you. Would you rather save on the installation costs or save money over the life of the unit by lowering your monthly energy costs?
Other Considerations
We already mentioned the importance of AFUE ratings. If you’re trying to decide between a gas or electric furnace, check the AFUE ratings on both types of furnace. This efficiency measure is a great way to compare different brands and models all together to make the best choice for your home and family.
True Comfort, True Savings. The team at Colliers Comfort is here to serve you. Schedule an appointment today for electric furnace service.