When considering a heating installation for your home, choosing between gas and electric furnaces is based on your preferences and home. Both offer equal strengths and drawbacks, so analyzing certain factors, like cost, effectiveness, and durability, can help you choose the right kind of system. 

How They Work

Both gas and electric furnaces use thermostats to measure the temperature in a room. When it drops below a set point, the system receives a signal to turn its heating functions on. For gas systems, that signal will activate the main burner of the heat exchanger.

By contrast, an electric system’s signal triggers electric heating functions within the furnace. Both systems use a blower fan to direct heated air through ducts that reach parts of your home fitted with vents. 

The Pros & Cons

Gas Furnaces 

Gas furnaces have two types. Conventional ones work by burning gas through a single heat exchanger, sending what’s left through a chimney or the walls. A condensing gas furnace has a second exchanger that collects the leftover heat and reuses it.

Both types generally lower fuel costs and can last up to 20 years. Since they offer high levels of heating, they’re perfect for colder climates. However, gas furnaces are more expensive and complicated to maintain. They also use gas lines, and that means your home must be fitted with a carbon monoxide detector. 

Electric Furnaces

Electric powered furnaces are affordable, making them ideal if you’re on a budget. They’re easy to maintain due to their small sizes. They’re also durable, being known to last between 20 and 30 years. Installing an electric furnace is simple, and you won’t need any additional devices. 

Although electric furnaces are affordable buys, running costs are high for operations that use a lot of energy. They rate lower on energy efficiency because they create heat, not transfer it. Pairing them with air conditioners and an air handler may cause complications. 

Fitting your home with a powerful heating system is a simple process thanks to J.J. Smith Heating & Cooling. Based in Cincinnati, OH, the company has helped residents of Anderson, Union, and Pierce Township save costs on their energy bills. Their services include maintenance for air conditioning and heating systems, installation of entire systems, and more. You can call (513) 231-1156 for a free consultation or visit their website to learn more about how they can service your home or business.