Whether you need to install a new furnace for your home or you need to upgrade an ancient system, you have some big decisions to make. Should you go with gas or electric-powered equipment for your furnace installation? Several factors go into choosing the right furnace for your house–including budget, lifestyle, and your current Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) setup. Which type of furnace will be the best for your house in the Charlotte, NC area?  Use the following information to help you decide.

GAS VERSUS ELECTRIC FURNACES

An electric heating system generates warm air using a heating element, much like an electric oven. It can also generate heat by transferring it from outside cooler air. This heat is then distributed throughout the house using the same type of fan-powered air handler. It can be a radiant delivery like is found in baseboard heaters as well.

FURNACE INSTALLATION BUDGET BUSTERS

For some homeowners, the cost for a new furnace may seem overwhelming at first. However, you need to look at the bigger financial picture when selecting a new furnace. You are not just paying a one time fee. Every month your furnace will cost you money for heating. The monthly operating costs and the long term maintenance expense should be considered. You don’t want to bust your budget, but you don’t want to hurt your long term budget either.

So which is cheaper now and over the long haul—electric or gas furnaces? Let’s take a look at how much each type of furnace costs to help you choose the most budget-friendly option for your house.

COST OF ELECTRIC FURNACES           

The cost of purchasing and installing can significantly vary depending on your needs.  The long term costs of your heating system will also vary depending on several factors. The size and condition of your home are generally the primary factors. Additionally, how well your home is insulated can make a significant difference. How many windows your home has and even how much sun exposure your home has can also affect long term costs.

When you opt for an electric furnace, you already have the power source in place. The source is the electricity that powers your home. This means you won’t have to get an additional energy source installed in your house. Thus, am electric furnace can be s cost effective choice.

However, when you are using electricity to heat your house, you are dependent on the price per watt of this power source. When electricity is in heavy use here in Charlotte, NC, you will see a spike on your power bill. If you are already using a lot of electricity in your home, this will only increase your monthly utility costs even more. You may might save money up front on a particular electric furnace. However, you could end up spending more money long term.

Another consideration in the cost of electric furnaces is that these units are more energy efficient compared to gas furnaces. This means even if you have a power surge you may not be ultimately paying much more for heating costs.

COST OF GAS FURNACES

Gas furnaces generate heat using natural gas or propane gas to burn a small but highly efficient flame. So you will need the gas connected to your house. If you don’t already have natural gas, a gas line can be run to your house by the utility company. The average cost of installing a natural gas line will vary. Most often, it depends on how far your house is from an existing line. Sometimes the utility company will do this at a discount or for free if you will be using multiple gas fired appliances like water heaters, stoves, and ovens.

In some instances, you may not be able to get a natural gas line installed at all due to location, distance, or type of build for your house. If you do not already have a natural gas line, it is a great idea to have a furnace installation expert inspect whether your home is set up for this type of heating system—prior to purchasing a gas furnace.

Another cost that you will need to factor in is a carbon monoxide detector. These will protect your household against any carbon monoxide poisoning that could be associated with natural gas leaks. Proper venting and a good gas furnace that burns properly will prevent the risk of CO poisoning, but it is an important safety measure to take

The good news for budget-minded homeowners is that natural gas heating will most likely save you money in the long term. Once you have a natural gas line in place, you will most likely spend less per month on heating costs in comparison to electric furnace expenses. That is because natural gas costs less than electricity in general.

BOTTOM LINE FOR CHOOSING ELECTRIC OR GAS FURNACES

Which one should you go with for furnace installation—gas or electric? If you are interested in saving money on monthly utilities, and you already have a natural gas line, a natural gas furnace can save you money in the long term. However, for homeowners unable to run a natural gas line or with a tight budget for a new furnace, electricity is the best choice.

As far as which type of furnace to choose based on the amount of heat produced, a gas furnace is popular because it produces hotter heat faster. Yet both types of furnaces provide safe and reliable heat. So which type of furnace will you go with for your next furnace installation? One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Charlotte today and one of our licensed technicians can help you start living in comfort today.