“Chilly months are much more bearable with a functioning, efficient heating system, but there are many options for keeping a house warm. For many homes, this choice comes down to electric furnace vs. gas furnace differences.
A gas furnace uses combustion, a heat exchanger, and a blower to warm a home.
Each type of furnace needs a heating activation method to operate. In a natural gas furnace, heat is produced when the pilot light ignites the burner. The flame warms up a metal heat exchanger, which heats cold air from its intakes. The blower then pushes the warmed air through ducts in the home, raising the indoor temperature. The flame stays lit until the thermostat detects that the air has reached the desired temperature setting, at which point the gas heat will turn off.
An electric furnace uses electricity, coils, and a blower to produce heat.
In an electric furnace, an electronic ignition turns on the heating system. The furnace pulls cold air into an exchanger, where it’s heated over electric heating elements called coils. The unit then pushes warm air into the ductwork by use of a blower fan to heat the home. Of course, the thermostat controls whether an electric furnace is on or off throughout the day. All of the heat produced stays in the home since there’s no venting or flue loss through a chimney.”
Read more about the differences between furnaces here.
Of course, one of the main factors for consumers when choosing a gas furnace is cost. In most cases, electric furnaces are less expensive to install. However, since natural gas is typically less expensive than electricity you may expect the operating costs for gas furnaces to be cheaper.
No matter if you’re in the market for a new furnace or would like to repair your existing furnace, Apple Valley Eagan Appliance is ready to assist. Call us at 952-953-0080 to learn more.
