Though it doesn’t get too cold here in Tampa Bay during the winter, there are still some chilly days when you will want to turn on the heat! But which type of furnace—gas or electric—is right for your home? Are there any benefits to either one?
Don’t worry! Our heating pros at Super Heat & Air are here to help you decide and answer all your questions along the way. Ready? Let’s go!
What to Consider When Choosing a Furnace
Before you begin your search for the perfect furnace, you need to have a few things in mind:
What is your budget?
How much do you want to spend on utilities?
How big is your home?
How cold does your area get?
Do you already have gas connected to your house?
Answering these questions will help you decide what kind of furnace to purchase. Now let’s break it down further to help you out!
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a crucial factor when shopping for a new furnace. But what does that mean exactly? Essentially, it’s all about the bang for your buck—how much fuel will you need to burn to get your home cozy and warm? Your goal is to have a warm house without using too much fuel.
When you compare electric vs. gas furnaces, you will find that gas furnaces are usually more efficient than their electrical counterparts. Now, we aren’t saying that electric heating is necessarily inefficient, it just takes longer for your home to come to temperature and for that reason can be more costly to achieve that perfect toasty temperature.
Costs
For many homeowners, the cost is the most important consideration when looking for a new furnace. It is not as simple as choosing the cheaper system, however. There are many factors that affect the final price tag of heating your home.
Gas and electric heaters do not cost the same to install. They have different ventilation requirements, and the process to install a gas furnace can be more expensive than an electric one. In this case, you must consider all the pros and cons to figure out which is best for your budget.
Utility Considerations
The best advantage of an electric furnace is that it doesn’t require additional utility hookups the way that a gas furnace does. If your house has electricity, you can start heating it immediately after an electric furnace has been installed.
If you have a gas furnace, you will need to have access to a gas main, and if your home doesn’t already have this, you will have to pay to have one installed. This can greatly increase the overall cost of a gas furnace, although going with a gas furnace can still pay off in the long run due to improved energy efficiency.
Safety
Safety is key for any kind of heating system, and you will have to consider this when choosing between gas or electric for your home.
Gas furnaces burn fuel to create heat, and carbon monoxide is created as a byproduct. Of course, carbon monoxide is toxic and must be vented out of your home safely. You will also need to install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home in case of harmful fumes.
Climate
The climate in your area can also impact the type of furnace you purchase. This is because gas furnaces burn hotter than electric ones, so if you live in a warm climate like Tampa, you likely don’t need a furnace that will overheat your home.
Plus, since we don’t run our heaters very often in Tampa Bay, an electric heater is often a good choice as those with HVAC systems usually already have the heater element built in.
Life Span
Generally, gas furnaces don’t tend to last as long as eclectic furnaces. This is because natural gas corrodes the elements inside a gas furnace over time. These need to be regularly cleaned, and parts may also need to be replaced as they wear out.
Electric furnaces are much more low maintenance than gas ones, although both require annual maintenance to ensure that they are running properly.
Our team at Super Heat Air can maintain either gas or electric furnaces and will test for gas leaks, and other safety concerns, and repair or replace any malfunctioning parts. We can also install a new one if the useful life of your old furnace has come to an end!
Stay Cozy with Super Heat & Air
The cooler months are fast approaching here in Tampa Bay, so make sure you have a furnace to keep you toasty and warm! Our team is ready to install and maintain both gas and electric furnaces for our friends in Tampa Bay.
Learn more about furnaces or get a quote by calling our team at Super Heat & Air today at (813) 279-8213 !
