Are you planning a move to Alaska and looking for the best furnace for your home? Your new home has an existing heating system, but it appears to require replacement, and you are still deciding whether to purchase a gas or an electric furnace.
There are several factors to consider when purchasing an electric or gas furnace.
In this blog post, we’ll look at the benefits and drawbacks of each type of furnace to help you make an informed decision.
Gas Furnace vs Electric Furnace
As the name implies, a gas furnace is a heating device that burns either natural gas or propane gas. A gas furnace’s components include a thermostat, fan, burners, heat exchanger, blower, and flue.
When a room gets cold, a gas furnace’s thermostat sends a low-voltage order to the furnace to turn on the heat. The natural gas can now flow to the burner after a valve opens. Electronic ignition ignites the burner when the gas gets there. The heated air is then released from the furnace as a result.
An electric furnace is like a traditional gas furnace, except it generates heat using electric heating elements rather than gas burners.
Electric furnaces draw air into the system and pass through a heat exchanger. The air is heated and pushed into the ductwork by a blower. The heated air is then distributed throughout the building via ductwork.
Cost
New gas furnaces are typically more expensive to purchase and install than electric furnaces. However, because electricity is usually more costly than natural gas in most areas of the country, owners of gas furnaces will recoup their investment with lower energy costs over time than an electric furnace. Increased energy efficiency will result in increased energy savings in the long run.
Purchase a less expensive electric furnace if you live in a smaller home in a warmer climate, for instance, because you won’t use it as frequently and can save money on energy over time. However, you save significantly more money throughout your gas furnace’s lifespan than an electric furnace if you own a larger home in a region with harsh winters, like Alaska.
Installation
Electric furnaces are simpler and less expensive to install than gas furnaces, which are larger and more complex systems. However, you should hire a certified heating and cooling contractor for installation services unless you have extensive experience installing equipment.
Lifespan
Electric furnaces often last 20 years or more, whereas gas furnaces typically last 15 to 20 years.
Maintenance
To operate at peak efficiency, both types of furnaces require annual maintenance. A yearly tune-up will clean the interior components and identify potential problems that could lead to costly repairs in the future. For furnace maintenance in Wasilla, you can always rely on HeatSource Mechanical.
Safety
Because a gas furnace system burns fuel, carbon monoxide is produced, which can be harmful and even fatal if a leak occurs. A heat exchanger crack most commonly causes carbon monoxide leaks from combusted fuel.
As a result, electric furnaces are generally the safer option. On the other hand, gas furnaces are a safe option as long as regular maintenance is performed on the heating system, reducing the likelihood of a carbon monoxide leak.
Energy Savings
Gas furnaces require less energy to heat the same amount of space than electric furnaces and can also heat homes more quickly.
On the other hand, electric furnaces require more time to heat up because their heat source is a network of coils. As a result, electric furnaces can take longer to heat homes in areas with chilly winters. In addition, as they attempt to meet the demands for heating in colder regions like Alaska, electric furnaces are also more vulnerable to wear and tear.
A table summary showing which types of furnaces do better in which criteria.
Bottomline
Nothing compares to a warm, comfortable home when the weather is terrible outside. But having a warm home has a price, especially since heating use accounts for most people’s energy costs. Therefore, ensuring that your heating system is both energy-efficient and inexpensive is crucial.
But does that imply that a gas or electric furnace is better?
According to the City of Wasilla government website, the average monthly energy cost is $192.72. In general, Alaska ranks second-highest in electricity prices among the other states.
Given the number, we can conclude that going after what’s more energy efficient is necessary as it provides comfort and financial savings.
Which Furnace Do We Recommend?
When it comes to furnaces, the only brand we highly recommend is Lennox furnace in Alaska. Their forced-air furnaces are the best on the market. Up to 98% AFUE makes Lennox furnaces very efficient, and their Precise Comfort technology can help you save a lot of money on heating costs. They are also very quiet, and you can choose from different models to fit your budget.
HeatSource Mechanical is a Lennox Premier Dealer in the MatSu Valley. If your current furnace is getting old or you want to upgrade, give us a call so we can discuss which one will work best for you.
