Furnace FAQ: Should I Go Gas or Electric?

When it seems like your heating system always needs furnace repair, it may be time to think about replacement.

As you look at options, one decision you may face is whether to choose a gas or electric system. This guide covers a few factors to help you make a more informed choice.

Compare the Costs

Along with future repairs, the upfront cost of a new system is a major concern for most homeowners.

Looking only at the purchase and installation price, a gas furnace often costs more than an electric furnace. It is equally important to consider long-term operating costs, which depend on local gas and electricity rates. In many homes, gas heat costs less to run, which can offset the higher upfront price over time.

Consider Future Maintenance and Repairs

It is wise to think about the repairs a system may need over its life.

Both types of furnace benefit from annual maintenance. Electric furnaces have no burners, flue or combustion components, so there are fewer of those parts to service. Gas furnaces have more combustion-related components that need regular inspection and cleaning.

Think About Efficiency and Your Carbon Footprint

Some homeowners want to reduce the fossil fuel their home uses. If that is a goal, it is worth looking beyond a traditional electric furnace to a heat pump, which heats with electricity far more efficiently. A dual-fuel system pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace for colder days.

Address Key Safety Concerns

Both types of furnace need annual maintenance. With a gas furnace, maintenance also includes checking combustion and venting, because a problem there can allow carbon monoxide into the home. Every home with gas appliances should have working carbon monoxide detectors.

If you know regular maintenance is hard for you to keep up with, factor that into your decision.

Get Honest Advice Before You Replace

Gibson Home Services provides gas furnace maintenance, repair and replacement in Burlington County. Before recommending replacement, we diagnose your current system and give honest repair-versus-replace advice. If replacement makes sense, we size the new system with a load calculation and offer good, better and best equipment options. Contact us or call (856) 220-4158 to request an estimate.