What is the difference between a gas and electric furnace?

Winters in Houston, Texas are usually mild although we do occasionally see Elsa lose control and freeze everything. That is why it’s important to have a reliable source of heat for your home to keep Elsa’s fury at bay. When considering how to heat your home, it usually comes down to two choices: a gas furnace or an electric furnace. We’ve broken down the differences so you can understand which one might be best for you and your home. 

Gas or Electric Furnace

​Just like your air conditioner, your furnace uses the air ducts throughout your home to deliver heat to each room in the house. An electric powered furnace uses heated coils, and a gas-powered furnace uses burners fueled by natural gas. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each option.

Electric Furnace

Pros

• Electric furnaces are connected and powered through your home’s electrical grid. If your home does not have access to the civic gas line this can be a great option.
• They typically cost less to install.
• They have less maintenance and there is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• They usually last longer than gas furnaces which helps stretch out your investment.

Cons

• Electric furnaces are usually more expensive to run which means you’ll be spending more money long term.
• If you already suffer from dry air in the winter months an electric furnace will not do much to help as they emit a dry heat which only adds to drying out the air.
• If the electricity goes out, so does your furnace. You might want to consider installing a generator as a backup power source.
• Electric furnaces can take longer to heat your home which means they can be less efficient, especially if it is very cold outside. 

Gas Furnaces

Pros

• Gas furnaces cost less to run than electric furnaces which leads to better savings in the long run.
• They are more robust when it comes to heating your home. No matter how cold it is outside a gas-powered furnace will be able to keep up and keep your home cozy and comfortable. People who live in colder climates tend to rely on gas powered furnaces.
• Since natural gas is a clean burning fuel, it is a good choice the environment while keeping your family comfortable at the same time.

Cons

• Gas furnaces are usually more expensive to install than electric furnaces since they must be connected to the civic gas line.
• They have shorter life spans and require more maintenance. A gas furnace will last about 10-15 years whereas an electric furnace will last 20 to 30 years.
• Carbon monoxide is a natural by product of running a gas furnace. Even though they are designed to remove carbon monoxide from your home, there is still a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which is why a carbon monoxide alarm is a good idea to have installed. 

As you can see there is a lot to consider when making the decision of how you will keep your family comfortable during the winter months. Country Air is here to help answer all of your heating and cooling questions and help you find the best solutions for your home and budget. Give us a call today at 281-356-8564.