When it comes to heating your home, many factors can play a role in your choice. Factors like cost, efficiency, and durability are all essential characteristics that will aid your selection.
A furnace is the most traditional approach to heating a home. Both electric and gas furnaces work towards heating your home and share many similarities but differ in several ways.
Here are the differences between the two to help determine which furnace would work best for you.
Gas Furnace
A gas furnace is the most popular furnace used in homes today. A gas furnace works by converting natural gas, which is the cleanest form of fossil fuel, into heat. The process produces a chemical known as carbon monoxide, which is a byproduct of combustion. If not appropriately removed from your home, this chemical can cause hazardous problems for you and your loved ones.
Gas furnaces are primarily found in the midwest and northeastern regions of the U.S., where colder climates are found. Access to natural gas in these climates is much easier, and thus why homeowners use gas furnaces more often. Typically, gas is cheaper than electricity, making operating a gas furnace more affordable. However, gas furnaces require more involved maintenance than electric furnaces because and often require more repairs over time.
Gas furnaces cannot convert 100 percent of their gas into energy for heating a home. Thus, some gas inevitably goes to waste. The more efficient the furnace’s rating is, the less gas it wastes during the heating process. Lower-end gas furnaces are not typically known for being energy-efficient, while higher-end models can achieve an Energy Star Rating.
Electric Furnace
An electric furnace is a furnace that works by converting unconditioned air to hot or cold air, depending on the season, using electrical coils or heat strips. Think about a toaster. Electric furnaces operate similarly to the electrical coils in a toaster which heat up and generate heat.
Electric furnaces are commonly found in the south and southwestern regions of the U.S., areas with milder winters. Access to natural gas in these regions can be more challenging, which can make it more expensive to operate a gas furnace.
Electric furnaces are more energy efficient than gas furnaces. They are designed to convert energy into heat for your home without wasting anything during the heating process (the way a gas furnace can waste fuel).
The Right Choice For You
Due to Georgia’s mild winters, they don’t necessarily need a gas furnace’s extra power to keep warm. Electric can work just fine. However, when choosing between a gas and electric furnace, homeowners will want to consider the cost of those two utilities in their area and may want to opt for a less expensive furnace.
Leave It to The Experts
With Premier Indoor Comfort Systems, LLC on the job, you can be sure that you’ll have the information you need to choose the right system for your home. We service gas and electric furnaces and will help you determine which type is the right choice for your home. Contact us today for high-quality furnace services. We proudly serve customers throughout the Atlanta Metro area with offices in Canton, GA.