If you need a new heating system for your home in El Paso, TX, you have plenty of options. However, if you’re considering furnaces, it’s essential to know that they come in two varieties. One is an electric furnace, and the other is a gas furnace.
At first glance, the difference between the two appears obvious. But if you’ve only ever used one or the other, you may not know enough to make an informed choice between them. To help, here are the pros and cons of each furnace type, along with guidance on selecting the right option.
About Electric Furnaces
As their name suggests, electric furnaces run exclusively on electricity. They rely on electric resistance heating elements and a blower to circulate heat around your home. They’re popular in El Paso because they’re long-lasting and perfect for areas that require heat only rarely.
The Pros of Electric Furnaces
Electric furnaces boast several essential advantages. One is that they’re among the cheapest types of heating systems you can install. Electric furnaces are essentially scaled-up versions of standard space heaters. That means they’re just as simple mechanically. As a result, they don’t cost much up-front, last for up to 30 years, and rarely break down.
Also, electric furnaces operate at 100% efficiency. So, all the electricity consumed for heat generation becomes usable heat for your home. The only electricity they otherwise consume is to run their blower motors.
The Cons of Electric Furnaces
Electric furnaces have some disadvantages that you need to be aware of. One is high operating costs. Electric furnaces are exceptionally efficient, but electricity is not cheap. So, you can expect high energy bills whenever you run your electric furnace.
Another disadvantage is that electric furnaces often struggle in frigid temperatures. While we don’t experience sub-zero temperatures frequently, it’s worth knowing the limitations of the system you’re investing in.
About Gas Furnaces
Gas furnaces rely on the combustion of natural gas to produce heat. Like electric models, they use a blower motor to circulate heat around your home. However, gas furnaces also have a heat exchanger to keep combustion byproducts out of the air in your home. Electric furnaces rely on direct heat transfer.
The Pros of Gas Furnaces
Gas furnaces are the most popular heating option in the United States. They last for up to 20 years and boast excellent reliability. Gas furnaces also come in a range of efficiencies, with 81% efficiency on the low end and 98.5% efficiency at the high end.
Even the lowest-efficiency gas furnace will deliver low operating costs. That’s due to the relatively low cost of natural gas within the US. Gas furnaces also excel at keeping homes warm, even in icy conditions.
The Cons of Gas Furnaces
There are only two main disadvantages of gas furnaces. One is that they cost significantly more than their electric counterparts up front. You can expect to pay roughly double the cost for a gas furnace compared to an electric furnace.
The other main disadvantage of a gas furnace is the risk associated with operating one. Despite an exemplary safety record, gas furnaces do involve controlled combustion inside your home. If a component fails or leaks, you can end up with carbon monoxide in your home’s air, which can be deadly.
Making Your Choice
As a rule of thumb, it’s simplest to replace your home’s existing heater with a similar appliance. Therefore, if you already have an electric furnace, the most cost-effective option is to replace it with a new electric furnace. The same holds true if you now have a gas furnace. That reduces the modifications necessary to perform the replacement and keeps installation costs low.
However, if you do want to switch between system types, there are several factors to consider. One is whether your home has an existing connection to a natural gas supply. If it doesn’t, adding one to support a gas furnace will significantly increase the cost of your installation.
However, adding a new electrical circuit to support an electric furnace usually isn’t expensive. The only exception is if you need a service upgrade or a new electrical panel to accommodate the circuit.
Your Trusted Furnace Experts
No matter which type of furnace you want for your El Paso home, SoBellas Home Services can install it. We sell and install dependable furnaces from leading manufacturers. Plus, we offer flat-rate, up-front price quotes. We can provide financing on approved credit for your furnace installation.
When you’re ready for a new furnace in El Paso, contact SoBellas Home Services.
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