Gas vs Electric Furnace: Which Should I Choose for My Home?

If your current furnace is showing signs of age and needing to be replaced, a question you may have is whether you should opt for a gas or an electric furnace installation. At this point, most homes don’t operate on oil furnaces anymore, so a gas or an electric furnace to keep their homes warm during the colder Wisconsin months.

Choosing your furnace type depends on a number of factors, including your home’s layout and size, your family’s overall energy needs, and your budget. In this article, the Modern Sheet Metal team will help you understand the key differences to help you make the best decision for your home.

If you have questions, just give our team a call at (920) 733-4713 or schedule a service here.

Electric vs Gas Furnaces

1. Heat Output

Gas

Gas furnaces provide homeowners fast, powerful heating with a high BTU output. They can quickly warm large spaces and maintain consistent temperatures throughout your home, even in extremely cold climates in the Midwest. The combustion process of a gas furnace generates intense heat which distributes evenly throughout a living space.

Electric

By contrast, an electric furnace uses electricity to heat coils, which then heat the air that’s circulating in your system. Electric furnaces offer steady, even heating, however, when compared with gas furnaces, it takes longer to reach desired temperatures. The benefits of electric is that it provides consistent warmth for milder winter seasons or any homes that have no access to gas lines.

Related: How Weather Affects Your HVAC System

2. Installation Costs

Gas

A gas furnace will be a higher initial cost due to gas line requirements, venting systems, chimney or flue installation, and any necessary permits for the installation. This is especially true of homes without existing gas infrastructure.

Electric

Electric furnaces offer homeowners a simpler installation process, along with lower initial installation costs, since most homes already have electrical service. There is no need for gas lines, venting, or chimney work, making electric an ideal choice for homes with no gas line. However, it’s worth noting that electrical panel upgrades may be needed for higher-capacity units.

Find out more about the furnace installation process here.

3. Repairs & Maintenance

Gas

When it comes to furnace repairs and maintenance, gas furnaces will require more frequent maintenance. This is thanks to combustion components such as burners, heat exchangers, and venting systems. In addition, yearly professional inspections by a local HVAC professional are essential for safety. In addition, note that repairs can be more complex and expensive due to gas-related components.

Electric

Electric furnaces offer less tune-up requirements with fewer and less complex moving parts and no combustion system. Repairs are typically simpler and less expensive. In addition, the main components of the electric furnace tend to be more straightforward to replace.

Related: How Often Should You Change Your HVAC Filters?

4. Safety Considerations

Gas

Potential risks for a gas furnace include gas leaks, carbon monoxide poisoning, and fire hazards. You will need to check with your HVAC company about installing a carbon monoxide detector with a professional installation service. In addition, proper venting is critical, and any gas odors require immediate attention.

Electric

Electric furnaces are generally safer, having no combustion gases, carbon monoxide risk, or gas leak concerns. The main safety considerations for an electrical furnace will be electrical hazards and proper electrical connections. No special ventilation requirements are necessary. Your electric furnace installer can answer any questions you may have regarding electrical hazards or connection concerns.

5. Energy Efficiency

Gas

Modern gas furnaces achieve 80-98% efficiency ratings (AFUE). When compared to electric furnaces, natural gas furnaces are typically less expensive per BTU, making gas furnaces overall more cost-effective to operate despite their slightly lower efficiency ratings.

Electric

By contrast, electric furnaces are close to 100% efficient at converting electricity to heat, since no energy is lost through venting. However, electricity generation and transmission losses can make the overall system less efficient. Also, operating costs are typically higher.

If you have any questions about energy efficiency for your furnace installation, be sure to ask the Modern Sheet Metal team by calling (920) 733-4713.

6. Lifespan

Gas

The average lifespan of a gas furnace is 15-20 years with proper maintenance. The combustion process and heat exchanger wear can limit longevity. Components of the gas furnace can be exposed to combustion gases, which may deteriorate faster over time.

Electric

On average, electric furnaces offer homeowners a longer lifespan of 20-30 years. This is due to their simpler design and no combustion wear. While its heating elements may need periodic replacement, the furnace itself typically lasts longer with less intensive maintenance requirements.

Which Furnace Type is Best for My Home?

The choice you ultimately make will depend on a couple of factors:

1. If you want a powerful heating source for long, cold winters, and lower heating costs longterm, and you already have a gas line in your home, a gas furnace is the right choice for you.
2. If your home doesn’t already have a gas line, you prefer the benefits and lower cost of a simpler installation process, or you have any other safety concerns, you should choose an electric furnace.

If you have any questions about heat distribution systems, we discuss more on that here.

Should I Make the Switch to Electric vs Gas?

If you’re interested in lessening your carbon footprint, electric heating can be a more eco-friendly choice, especially when powered by renewable energy. One consideration with electric, though, is the overall higher cost.

If you don’t have a gas line already, you should discuss with your HVAC company if a gas furnace will be worth the investment. You should weigh whether the long-term expenses and energy efficiency is worth the investment.

If you have further questions about which furnace type to choose for your home, the experts at Modern Sheet Metal can help. Please contact us at (920) 733-4713 or contact us online and a team member can walk through your options.

Related: What to Know Before Installing a New Furnace

Contact Modern HVAC

If you’re searching for an HVAC contractor in the area, Modern Sheet Metal Heating & Cooling has been serving customers throughout the Fox Cities since we first opened our doors in 1963. We are expanding our team to reach our heating and cooling customers throughout Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Darboy, Kaukauna, Kimberly, and Greenville.

With more than 60 years of industry experience, we are proud to be NATE-certified Carrier installers, working with furnaces and heating systems, air conditioning systems, radiant floor heating, indoor air quality, programmable thermostat installations, heat pumps, and radon testing solutions. If you are ready to discuss your furnace installation, replacement, repair, maintenance, or emergency service, please call us at (920) 733-4713 to speak to an associate.

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