We all know that furnaces are ideal systems for keeping a home warm and comfortable on even the cloudiest and coldest days in Portland. But did you also know that there is more than one type of furnace that can heat your house?
We want to focus on two key furnace types you may want to know about: those powered by natural gas and those powered by electricity only. The question that this creates for you is which one suits your needs better.
If you are trying to determine whether a gas furnace or an electric furnace would be better for your home, you can reach out to us for help. In the interest of providing you with some immediate guidance, we’ve collected some important information we think you should know about choosing furnaces in Portland, OR.
Factors Involved in Furnace Choice
There are several things you should know when you are trying to think about whether a gas or electric furnace better suits you. Whether you are installing a furnace for the first time or replacing your old furnace heater, remember these key factors listed below when you select your new unit.
Installation
Installing a furnace is not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. However, it can be a little harder or more expensive depending on the type of furnace being installed. A gas furnace, simply because of its fuel source, will be pricier than an electric furnace to install. It also takes more time to properly install a gas furnace.
Overall Operating Costs
Believe it or not, electric furnaces often tend to cost more to use than their gas-fueled counterparts. While a natural gas furnace does use both electricity and gas to accomplish its task, the system is also very energy efficient, and well-maintained models should be able to use fuel and energy in the best possible way to produce heat. While your electric furnace won’t be inefficient with energy, it may be more expensive to run because, well, it uses only electricity—and quite a bit of it, to be honest. Electric furnaces are often best for areas where electricity is cheap.
Associated Risks
You may have guessed already, but a natural gas furnace has a higher risk factor attached to it compared to an electric furnace because it uses gas. While regular maintenance and upkeep should keep the furnace in good condition, it is important to remember that an older gas furnace runs the risk of leaking gas due to a cracked heat exchanger.
Access to Fuel
The last thing to remember is this: if you don’t have a gas line already connected to your home, it will be a large cost to add in order to operate a gas furnace. On the other hand, if you already has access to natural gas lines, this should be a fairly simple connection to make for a professional technician.
Contact The Clean Air Act for your home comfort needs. Please call Sydni, our Office Extraordinaire, to schedule your next appointment! We will take care of you from there!