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Types of Furnaces: Breaking Down the Best Option for Your Home
If you’re shopping for a new furnace, you may find the jargon confusing that’s used to describe the different furnace types. We’ll keep it simple by explaining what the most common types of furnaces are and the benefits and drawbacks of each. Keep in mind that the type of furnace you buy should depend upon what type of energy is cheapest in your area, and what part of the country you live in. For instance, if you live in a rural area, natural gas may not be available or may be prohibitively expensive. Types of FurnacesNatural Gas FurnacesHow it Works: a natural gas furnace is a forced-air, central heating system. This means that natural gas furnaces use air ducts to force warm air through your entire home. They use natural gas as a fuel and tend to be very efficient. Why People Like Gas Furnaces: natural gas furnaces are the most popular type of furnace sold today. People like natural gas furnaces because they deliver even heat and operate very quietly. Natural Gas Furnaces Work Best for People Who:
Oil FurnacesWhy People Like Oil Furnaces: oil furnaces were a popular heating solution in mid-twentieth century America but fell out of vogue due to rising oil prices. The oil furnaces that are sold today can be very energy efficient but tend to be the most expensive type of furnace to purchase and install. Oil Furnaces are Best for People Who:
Drawbacks to Oil Furnaces: take a look at oil prices in your area because fuel for this type of furnace can be expensive. High Efficiency FurnaceHow it Works: high efficiency furnaces are gas or oil furnaces that are at least 92% fuel efficient. High efficiency furnaces must also be able to operate without a chimney. The small amount of waste gas and heat that they generate can be ventilated through PVC pipes that vent through the side or roof of a house. Why People Like High Efficiency Furnaces: 92% of the fuel it uses is converted into usable heat. Propane FurnaceHow it Works: according to the Energy Institute (BerkeleyHaas), approximately 5% of American households use propane furnaces. Propane furnaces run on propane fuel, so check for the availability and cost of propane in your area before deciding if this furnace is right for you. Propane Furnaces are Best for People Who:
Drawbacks to Propane Furnaces: keep in mind that you must install a 500 gallon fuel storage tank on your property in order to run a propane furnace. The fuel tanks are usually buried underground and can contribute to your upfront costs for installation. Electric FurnaceHow it Works: electric furnaces use electricity as fuel. Electric furnaces are the most energy efficient heating option but tend to incur high utilities costs. Why People Like Electric Furnaces: electric furnaces are the cheapest type of furnace to purchase and install. Drawbacks to Electric Furnaces: monthly utilities tend to cost more for electric furnaces than for gas furnaces. Electric Furnaces are Best for People Who:
Get the full breakdown on the costs for each different type of furnace: The Real Costs of Replacing your Furnace. Find the Perfect Type of Furnace for Your HomeIf you are still unsure about the type of furnace that’s best for you, contact your local heating company and request a home audit. A heating professional who has seen your home can recommend which type of furnace is most compatible with your home’s infrastructure and utilities. More Resources on Your Furnace Options |
If you’re shopping for a new furnace, you may find the jargon confusing that’s used to describe the different furnace types. We’ll keep it simple by explaining what the most common types of furnaces are and the benefits and drawbacks of each. Keep in mind that the type of furnace you buy should depend upon what type of energy is cheapest in your area, and what part of the country you live in. For instance, if you live in a rural area, natural gas may not be available or may be prohibitively expensive.
How it Works: a natural gas furnace is a forced-air, central heating system. This means that natural gas furnaces use air ducts to force warm air through your entire home. They use natural gas as a fuel and tend to be very efficient.
Why People Like Gas Furnaces: natural gas furnaces are the most popular type of furnace sold today. People like natural gas furnaces because they deliver even heat and operate very quietly.
Natural Gas Furnaces Work Best for People Who:
Why People Like Oil Furnaces: oil furnaces were a popular heating solution in mid-twentieth century America but fell out of vogue due to rising oil prices. The oil furnaces that are sold today can be very energy efficient but tend to be the most expensive type of furnace to purchase and install.
Oil Furnaces are Best for People Who:
Drawbacks to Oil Furnaces: take a look at oil prices in your area because fuel for this type of furnace can be expensive.
How it Works: high efficiency furnaces are gas or oil furnaces that are at least 92% fuel efficient. High efficiency furnaces must also be able to operate without a chimney. The small amount of waste gas and heat that they generate can be ventilated through PVC pipes that vent through the side or roof of a house.
Why People Like High Efficiency Furnaces: 92% of the fuel it uses is converted into usable heat.
How it Works: according to the Energy Institute (BerkeleyHaas), approximately 5% of American households use propane furnaces. Propane furnaces run on propane fuel, so check for the availability and cost of propane in your area before deciding if this furnace is right for you.
Propane Furnaces are Best for People Who:
Drawbacks to Propane Furnaces: keep in mind that you must install a 500 gallon fuel storage tank on your property in order to run a propane furnace. The fuel tanks are usually buried underground and can contribute to your upfront costs for installation.
How it Works: electric furnaces use electricity as fuel. Electric furnaces are the most energy efficient heating option but tend to incur high utilities costs.
Why People Like Electric Furnaces: electric furnaces are the cheapest type of furnace to purchase and install.
Drawbacks to Electric Furnaces: monthly utilities tend to cost more for electric furnaces than for gas furnaces.
Electric Furnaces are Best for People Who:
Get the full breakdown on the costs for each different type of furnace: The Real Costs of Replacing your Furnace.
If you are still unsure about the type of furnace that’s best for you, contact your local heating company and request a home audit. A heating professional who has seen your home can recommend which type of furnace is most compatible with your home’s infrastructure and utilities.
Call: 612-825-6867
It’s nice to know that natural gas furnaces are efficient. My sister is looking into a furnace because there are great air ducts in her home. It’s probably a good idea for her to look into both installation and maintenance.
That makes sense that propane works for people far from oil lines. Like you said, you can get a 500 gallon tank for propane. I’m already outside of city water, so I might have to provide my own heat as well.
Hi John and Leviticus, thanks for reading! You’re both spot on. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help!
Thank you for the information about the types of furnaces. I found it interesting when you said that propane furnaces are best for those who live in the rural areas. I will also check on the other types and weigh as to what is best applicable in us.