If you’ve been shopping around for a new furnace lately, you may have noticed there are a couple of different selections to choose from. You’ll need a technician to help you choose the right model for your home as well as to select the proper size and ensure that everything is installed and in place as needed. But one big consideration always comes first: should you choose a gas-powered or electric furnace?
For many, this depends on the source of power available in the home. If you don’t have access to a gas line, you will obviously need an electric furnace or an alternate heating source. However, if you have the ability to install both, you’ll need to make a couple of considerations first. Let’s compare each type of system so that you can make an informed choice.
Benefits and Drawbacks
Both systems have a lot in common. They both distribute heat to your home in the same way, running it through the ducts so that it reaches your home through the vents. However, the way they generate heat is what sets them apart.
An electric furnace has a series of electric heating elements which rely on an electric current to heat up. Air is sucked in via a blower fan and heats up as it flows past the heating coils. Gas furnaces work much differently but deliver the same level of performance. A gas furnace instead burns fuel in order to heat up a heat exchanger. Air moves over the heat exchanger to warm up before it makes its way into your home.
There are a couple of considerations to make before choosing one model or the other. For one, you may decide on an electric furnace because it generally costs less to purchase. However, in most areas of the country, the cost of electricity far exceeds the price of natural gas, so you’ll end up spending a lot more every month. On the other hand, an electric furnace may be safer. If the heat exchanger of a gas furnace cracks, there may be carbon monoxide in your home, or there is a risk of gas leaking from the gas line. Still, most people only choose electric if they do not have a gas line hookup.
For heating services in Austin, TX, call the experts at Intelligent Air Services today!