Table of Contents
How does an electric furnace work?
Electric furnaces work much like gas furnaces, except that they use electricity to produce heat instead of gas. Once in the heat exchanger, electric heating elements will warm up the air. This warm air is then pushed by the blower into the ductwork in your home, which distributes the air into the rooms of your home.
Are electric furnaces any good?
Electric furnaces tend to be quieter, more durable, and longer lasting than gas furnaces. The Entek Corporation, an HVAC company in Longview, Wash., says electric models are usually rated for 20 to 30 years, compared to 10 to 20 years for gas models. Electric furnaces are highly efficient.
What is a home electric furnace?
Electric furnaces are heating appliances consisting of an enclosed metal box containing an electric heating element and a blower fan.
Are electric furnaces expensive to run?
While the up-front costs might be tempting, electric furnaces cost more to operate monthly. Electricity is more expensive per unit than natural gas, making the lifetime cost higher than gas heating. Electric heating takes more time. The heat from your furnace won’t reach the high temperatures of a gas furnace.
Which is better heat pump or electric furnace?
ENERGY EFFICIENCY Under ideal conditions, a heat pump can transfer 300 percent more energy than it consumes. In contrast, a high-efficiency gas furnace is about 95 percent efficient. Heat pumps are powered by electricity, so you can save substantially on fuel consumption.
Does electric furnace have exhaust?
Electric furnaces last longer On the plus column for electric furnaces is their longevity. Because furnaces do not use combustion gas or vent exhaust, they will not suffer from the same aging as a gas furnace, and consequently will last for more years (provided they have regular maintenance).
Can I replace my gas furnace with an electric furnace?
Gas furnaces cannot be converted to electric systems. A true furnace conversion is designed to keep the primary components of the furnace but change a few smaller parts so a different fuel can be used.
Do you need a heat pump with an electric furnace?
An electric furnace by itself does not “have a heat pump”. You can add a heat pump or even an air conditioner to an electric furnace. The addition of a heat pump to an electric furnace can save money on the cost of heating your home.
How long does an electric furnace last?
A gas furnace on average lasts between 15 and 20 years. An electric furnace lasts between 20 and 30 years.
How common are electric furnaces?
Electric furnaces and heat pumps, on the other hand, are present in about 30% of homes, which is a number that has trended up over the past two decades. One reason for that trend is that electric furnaces are often touted as the most energy-efficient option.
Do electric furnaces have BTU ratings?
Electric furnaces are made in a range from about 10kW/h to 25kW/h. Because each kilowatt equals 3,400 BTUs, that translates to 34,000 to 85,000 BTUs. In this table, the Unit Only price is based on a 20kW/h unit, which is the average size installed in the United States.
Does an electric furnace need a vent?
Pros and cons of an electric furnace Electric furnace pros: Because an electric furnace does not need to be connected to a gas supply and does not need a venting system for fuel-burning byproducts, it is generally less complicated and a bit less expensive to install.
What is cheaper to heat with gas or electric?
Less expensive to operate: Almost everywhere in the country, natural gas is significantly cheaper than electricity. Faster heating: Gas heat tends to heat up the home faster than electric heat because the gas furnace produces maximum heat as soon as the burners start running.
Why is my electric furnace blowing out cold air?
Your furnace may be blowing cold air because the filter is too dirty. A dirty air filter blocks airflow over the furnace’s heat exchanger, causing it to overheat. When overheating, your furnace can trip a high limit switch, causing the furnace burners to shut off so that the heat exchanger does not crack.
Is an electric furnace more efficient than gas?
An electric furnace is the more efficient of the two. It may have an annual fuel-utilization-efficiency (AFUE) rating as high as 100 percent. Gas furnace ratings range from 55 to 97 percent. The higher cost of a more efficient gas system will most often be offset by lower fuel costs in regions with harsh winters.
What is the cheapest way of heating a house?
Gas is generally much the cheapest form of heating, but its cost depends on a number of factors, including your supplier, tariff and boiler.
Which is cheaper electric heat or heat pump?
While exact operating costs depend on the climate where you live, the unit’s efficiency, and local utility costs, for a single winter season, heating costs run an average of $1,550 for a propane furnace, $850 for a natural gas furnace, $900 for an electric furnace, and just $500 for a heat pump.
Can I add a heat pump to an electric furnace?
You can add a heat pump to an existing furnace for those times of year when the climate is moderate and it might be more economical to run a heat pump rather than use gas, propane or oil. Heat pumps can also be added to work in conjunction with furnaces and other HVAC systems.
