Furnace Installation: Different Types Of Furnaces And Their Advantages

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 Determining which type of furnace to install requires good thought on the implications of the type of unit you decide to install and its suitability for your heating needs.

Since most homeowners don't have adequate knowledge about the different types of furnaces, here are the different types of furnace installations available and the benefits of each.

Types of Furnaces

There are three types of furnaces a homeowner can install in their home. Each type gets distinguished by the type of fuel the furnace utilizes.

1. Natural Gas Furnace

Natural gas furnaces are the most common type of furnaces due to natural gas pipelines in cities and most residential areas. Though they are more expensive than electric furnaces, natural gas furnaces have a lower monthly maintenance cost due to gas's affordability. These furnaces operate by burning natural gas to provide heat. Since natural gas is highly flammable, these furnaces are considered very efficient because they can heat your house a lot faster than electric furnaces.

Pros:

  • Due to the availability of gas and its low cost, these furnaces have the lowest monthly operating costs
  • Because it utilizes natural gas as opposed to electricity, it can heat a large house more quickly
  • Natural gas is a cleaner-burning fuel compared to oil; thus, the furnace produces minimal environmental pollution

2. Electric Furnace

Electric furnaces are not as commonly in use as natural gas furnaces. However, electric furnaces are a practical option for areas where gas pipelines are not available. However, it is essential to note that an electric furnace gets connected to your electric supply. Thus if you install this type of furnace, you are bound to see a significant increase in your electric bill. Electricity is more costly than natural gas. Thus, most people who install electric furnaces are in areas that get moderately cold to use the furnace sparingly to minimize the electric consumption. 

Pros:

  • Electric furnaces come equipped with modulators. Thus you can easily adjust the room temperatures of different rooms in the house
  • It has a lower installation cost compared to a natural gas furnace
  • Electricity is clean energy, and thus the furnace has no negative environmental impact
  • Unlike noisy furnaces that burn fuel to produce heat, an electric furnace is quiet. Thus, there is no noise pollution in the house

3. Oil Furnace

For people who do not have access to piped natural gas and don't want a high electric bill, an oil furnace is an excellent choice. However, due to the fluctuating prices of oil, this type of furnace is not very common. These furnaces require a fuel storage tank for the oil, which is an additional expense on top of the purchasing price. Additionally, due to the oil storage tank, the furnace takes up more space than electric and gas furnaces upon installation. However, because you get to buy oil in bulk to fill the tanks, they have low monthly overheads.

Pros:

  • These furnaces have the longest life span and can serve you for up to 25 years with proper maintenance
  • Because oil burns hotter than natural gas it means oil furnaces have a better BTU
  • These furnaces are ideal for extreme cold and remote areas
  • They are more efficient than a gas furnace when heating a large home

For more information, reach out to a furnace installation service in your area today.


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