When it comes time for you to buy a new furnace for your household, there are many choices for you to make. The seemingly small decisions you make now can have a big impact on the efficiency and efficacy of your new furnace later on, so it is essential that you do the research and consult with a professional before making your furnace purchase. After all, an improperly matched heating system can leave you with higher bills and an increased need for repairs!
After you choose the make and model of furnace you want, the next decision to make is whether you want a gas-powered system or an electric one. Read on as we provide a quick guide to the differences between them. Oh and spoiler alert–neither is “better” than the other, but you may find one is preferable for your specific situation over the other.
All About Gas Furnaces
The lifespan of a well-maintained gas-powered furnace is between 10 to 15 years. Professional maintenance should be done at least once a year, and it’s important to stay on top of repairs as you discover they’re needed, if you want to ensure this system lasts that long.
If your home is already connected to your municipal gas line, then installing a gas-powered furnace will be a simple process for our team. Gas furnaces are complex, however, so you definitely want to hire a professional for their installation.
What about cost? The upfront price of a furnace is typically what homeowners look at first, and we understand! Generally speaking, the purchase price of a natural gas furnace is higher than that of an electric furnace. But natural gas is a less costly fuel source, which means that a gas furnace is less expensive to run from month to month.
Are Gas Furnaces Safe?
This is a common question HVAC professionals get from homeowners making the decision between a gas or electric furnace. Here’s the thing, no furnace is inherently dangerous, whether it’s gas-powered or not. What makes a furnace potentially unsafe is when it’s not routinely maintained.
Maintenance not only keeps a furnace safe, but it boosts its efficiency, reduces repair needs by as much as 85%, and allows your furnace to last its entire intended lifespan.
An unmaintained gas furnace could become a hazard if there’s a frayed gas line or a cracked heat exchanger. This is why it’s so important to schedule regular tune-ups.
All About Electric Furnaces
Because there are fewer components in an electric furnace than a gas one, and an electric furnace is as susceptible to corrosion as a gas-powered system, an electric furnace can typically last up to two decades. Remember though, just like a gas-powered system, an electric furnace needs professional maintenance to stay in good shape and to make it that long.
Electric furnaces do cost a bit more than their gas counterparts to run month to month, however, their upfront cost is typically less. Plus, if you don’t have easy access to a gas line (or prefer not to use natural gas in your home), then an electric furnace might be just what you want!
Whichever furnace installation you decide on, when you need reliable heating service in Martinez, CA, don’t look any further than Hometown Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us today!