When it’s time to replace your heating system, you’re faced with a lot of decisions. Although there are other types of systems for heating your home such as a heat pump or a dual-fuel system for our cold Montana winters, a central furnace is a tried-and-true method of heating your home.
We can understand why many homeowners might want to stick with what they know best and have come to rely on. You’ve decided you want a furnace, but now you have another important decision to make: electric or gas?
This can be a harder decision to make as there are many pros and cons to both fuel types. That’s why we’ve made this list to help you decide between electric vs gas furnaces in Belgrade, MT. Let’s go over them now.
Which is Better, Gas or Electric?
This is a common question we get from homeowners. The good news is that furnaces are designed for efficiency despite what their source of fuel is. But to answer this question in a nutshell, consider these two factors.
- How much does electricity vs gas cost in your area? It can be hard to determine this when these costs can fluctuate, so keep this in mind when choosing between the two. You’ll be locked into paying for one or the other throughout the lifespan of your furnace.
- Does your home already have a natural gas line installed? That will certainly make the installation process for a gas furnace easy. However, if your home needs a gas line installed, that’ll automatically increase the cost of installation.
Gas Furnaces Pros and Cons
- Lifespan: The lifespan of a gas furnace that receives regular maintenance is 10-15 years.
- Installation: Installing a gas furnace isn’t difficult when your home already has a gas line installed or has access to natural gas.
- Upfront Cost: The price of a natural gas furnace is usually higher than that of an electric furnace so your upfront costs will be higher.
- Maintenance and Safety: Although modern gas furnaces have safety features to protect against gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning, these aren’t foolproof. There will always be a minor risk with a gas furnace. Maintenance can greatly reduce this risk so don’t plan on skipping out on maintenance if you choose gas.
Electric Furnaces Pros and Cons
- Lifespan: The lifespan of an electric furnace is the same as gas, 10-15 years. However, electric furnaces have been known to last longer than their gas counterparts.
- Installation: Due to the fact that there is no venting system required, installing an electric furnace is generally easier and therefore cheaper than a gas furnace installation.
- Upfront Cost: Electric furnaces cost less than gas furnaces. However, gas furnaces are considered to be more energy efficient at the end of their lifespans.
- Maintenance and Safety: Although your furnace will still require annual maintenance, you won’t have to worry about a potential gas leak. If safety is your top concern, go with electric.
We know there’s a lot to take into consideration when deciding if gas vs electric furnaces are better. To help you decide, don’t hesitate to contact us and discuss your options.
Contact Ambient Air Solutions today for professional furnace installation. Simplifying Heating & Cooling!
