|
Types of Furnaces: Breaking Down the Best Option for Your Home
As the temperatures drop and winter approaches, it’s important to have a reliable and efficient home heating system. Choosing the right type of furnace for your home is a decision that can impact both your comfort and energy bills. Let’s explore some of your furnace options so you can determine the best way to get yourself and your family through a Minnesota winter. Natural gas furnacesNatural gas furnaces are the most common type of furnace in the United States. This type of furnace does have a history of being less efficient, depending on the age of the unit. Models that are 15 years old or older top out around 70% efficiency, but newer models are able to surpass that by 15 percentage points or more. Gas furnaces are also relatively inexpensive to operate, due to the generally low cost of natural gas. Natural gas furnaces work by burning natural gas to create heat. The heat is then transferred to a heat exchanger, which heats the air that is circulated throughout the home. The exhaust gasses from the furnace are vented to the outside. Benefits:
Drawbacks:
High efficiency furnacesFurnaces that have an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 92% or higher are considered high efficiency furnaces. AFUE is a measure of how much of the fuel a furnace uses is actually converted into heat. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the furnace. High efficiency furnaces can save you money on your energy bills. For example, a furnace with an AFUE rating of 95% will use 5% less fuel than a furnace with an AFUE rating of 90%. This means that you could save up to $100 per year on your heating costs. These types of furnace are also better for the environment compared to lower efficiency varieties. They produce fewer emissions than less efficient furnaces, which helps to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gasses. Benefits
Drawbacks
Electric furnacesElectric furnaces use electricity, rather than gas or some other combustible material, to generate heat. They are easy to install and maintain, making them a convenient option for many homeowners. While they might have slightly higher operating costs compared to gas furnaces, the absence of combustion byproducts makes them a cleaner and safer choice for indoor air quality. Electric furnaces work by using electricity to heat coils or elements. The heated coils or elements then transfer the heat to the air, which is circulated throughout the home. Benefits:
Drawbacks:
Propane furnacesPropane furnaces are a popular choice for heating homes in areas where natural gas is not available, such as cabins or houses in rural areas. They are also a good option for people who want a more environmentally friendly furnace, as propane produces fewer emissions than natural gas. Propane furnaces are powered by propane, which is a type of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Propane is stored in tanks on the property and is delivered by propane companies. Propane furnaces work by burning propane to create heat. The heat is then transferred to a heat exchanger, which heats the air that is circulated throughout the home. The exhaust gasses from the furnace are vented to the outside. Benefits:
Drawbacks:
Oil furnacesOil furnaces use heating oil as their fuel source, similar to a natural gas furnace. They are less common than they once were because they are less efficient than natural gas furnaces. They are also more expensive to operate, as the cost of oil is higher. However, oil furnaces can be a good option for people who live in areas where natural gas is not available or who want a backup heating source. They are also known for their durability and relatively high fuel efficiency. Benefits:
Drawbacks:
Other heating optionsSometimes you don’t need to add an entire furnace to get the heat you need. If you are looking for supplemental heating for specific rooms in your home, there are a few great options. Radiant heat flooring Radiant heat flooring involves installing a network of heating elements beneath the floor surface. This system provides even and comfortable warmth throughout a room. Radiant heat is energy-efficient, as it directly warms people and objects, reducing heat loss. It’s a popular choice for bathrooms and areas with hard flooring surfaces. Electric baseboards Electric baseboards are individual room heating units that are easy to install and allow for precise temperature control. They work by heating the air near the baseboard, providing a straightforward solution for zoned heating. While they are less common as the primary heating source for an entire home, they are effective for supplemental heating in specific areas. Wood burning stoves Wood burning stoves offer a traditional and charming heating option. They use wood as a renewable and readily available fuel source. While the ambiance and warmth from a wood-burning system are appealing, they require more hands-on maintenance and may not be as convenient as other modern heating options. Stay Warm This Winter with WelterThe professional HVAC technicians at Welter can help you decide the best furnace for your house. We cover everything from installation to maintenance to repairs for most types of furnaces. Call us today to learn more about getting a new furnace. |
As the temperatures drop and winter approaches, it’s important to have a reliable and efficient home heating system. Choosing the right type of furnace for your home is a decision that can impact both your comfort and energy bills.
Let’s explore some of your furnace options so you can determine the best way to get yourself and your family through a Minnesota winter.
Natural gas furnaces are the most common type of furnace in the United States. This type of furnace does have a history of being less efficient, depending on the age of the unit. Models that are 15 years old or older top out around 70% efficiency, but newer models are able to surpass that by 15 percentage points or more. Gas furnaces are also relatively inexpensive to operate, due to the generally low cost of natural gas.
Natural gas furnaces work by burning natural gas to create heat. The heat is then transferred to a heat exchanger, which heats the air that is circulated throughout the home. The exhaust gasses from the furnace are vented to the outside.
Benefits:
Drawbacks:
Furnaces that have an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 92% or higher are considered high efficiency furnaces. AFUE is a measure of how much of the fuel a furnace uses is actually converted into heat. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the furnace.
High efficiency furnaces can save you money on your energy bills. For example, a furnace with an AFUE rating of 95% will use 5% less fuel than a furnace with an AFUE rating of 90%. This means that you could save up to $100 per year on your heating costs.
These types of furnace are also better for the environment compared to lower efficiency varieties. They produce fewer emissions than less efficient furnaces, which helps to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gasses.
Benefits
Drawbacks
Electric furnaces use electricity, rather than gas or some other combustible material, to generate heat. They are easy to install and maintain, making them a convenient option for many homeowners. While they might have slightly higher operating costs compared to gas furnaces, the absence of combustion byproducts makes them a cleaner and safer choice for indoor air quality.
Electric furnaces work by using electricity to heat coils or elements. The heated coils or elements then transfer the heat to the air, which is circulated throughout the home.
Benefits:
Drawbacks:
Propane furnaces are a popular choice for heating homes in areas where natural gas is not available, such as cabins or houses in rural areas. They are also a good option for people who want a more environmentally friendly furnace, as propane produces fewer emissions than natural gas.
Propane furnaces are powered by propane, which is a type of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Propane is stored in tanks on the property and is delivered by propane companies. Propane furnaces work by burning propane to create heat. The heat is then transferred to a heat exchanger, which heats the air that is circulated throughout the home. The exhaust gasses from the furnace are vented to the outside.
Benefits:
Drawbacks:
Oil furnaces use heating oil as their fuel source, similar to a natural gas furnace. They are less common than they once were because they are less efficient than natural gas furnaces. They are also more expensive to operate, as the cost of oil is higher.
However, oil furnaces can be a good option for people who live in areas where natural gas is not available or who want a backup heating source. They are also known for their durability and relatively high fuel efficiency.
Benefits:
Drawbacks:
Sometimes you don’t need to add an entire furnace to get the heat you need. If you are looking for supplemental heating for specific rooms in your home, there are a few great options.
Radiant heat flooring
Radiant heat flooring involves installing a network of heating elements beneath the floor surface. This system provides even and comfortable warmth throughout a room. Radiant heat is energy-efficient, as it directly warms people and objects, reducing heat loss. It’s a popular choice for bathrooms and areas with hard flooring surfaces.
Electric baseboards
Electric baseboards are individual room heating units that are easy to install and allow for precise temperature control. They work by heating the air near the baseboard, providing a straightforward solution for zoned heating. While they are less common as the primary heating source for an entire home, they are effective for supplemental heating in specific areas.
Wood burning stoves
Wood burning stoves offer a traditional and charming heating option. They use wood as a renewable and readily available fuel source. While the ambiance and warmth from a wood-burning system are appealing, they require more hands-on maintenance and may not be as convenient as other modern heating options.
The professional HVAC technicians at Welter can help you decide the best furnace for your house. We cover everything from installation to maintenance to repairs for most types of furnaces. Call us today to learn more about getting a new furnace.
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.