Winters in Central Indiana can be long and brutal, and a properly functioning furnace is a necessity to keep you and your family warm and cozy indoors.
If your current furnace is more than 15 years old and needs frequent repairs, it’s time to replace it with a newer, more energy-efficient model. But what type of furnace should you buy? While some homeowners utilize propane and oil furnaces, the vast majority of Indianapolis homeowners either have natural gas (49%) or electric furnaces (34%), according to Energy.gov.
The right furnace for your home depends on several factors that we’ll discuss in our most recent blog. We’ll help you weigh the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision. If you’re interested in having a new furnace installed in your Indianapolis or Central Indiana home – or need professional guidance – contact the heating and cooling professionals at Thiele Heating & Air Conditioning for trustworthy and reliable service. Whether you need help to heat or cool your home, the experts at Thiele are here to help.
Differences and Similarities Between Gas and Electric Furnaces
Whether you choose gas or electric heating systems, they are both forced-air heating systems, which means they heat air directly and distribute that air through a series of ducts throughout your home. Both types of furnaces are popular choices among Indianapolis residents.
Let’s take a look at some of the similarities and differences between gas and electric heating systems.
Costs
New gas furnaces typically cost more to buy and install than electric furnaces. According to FIXR, the average cost to install a new system in a 2,000 square foot home is $4,500 to $6,000, while an electric furnace will cost a homeowner about $2,000 to $4,000.
However, electricity typically costs more than natural gas in most areas of the country, so owners of gas furnaces will recoup their money over time with lower energy costs compared to an electric furnace. With increased energy efficiency, you’ll also notice an increase in energy savings in the long run.
If you own a smaller home in a warmer climate, for example, it may make more sense to buy a less expensive electric furnace because you won’t use it as frequently, which allows you to save energy in the long run. But if you own a larger house in a cold winter climate such as Indianapolis, you end up saving significantly more money over the course of your gas furnace’s lifespan compared to that of an electric furnace. If your Indianapolis home has access to natural gas, we recommend purchasing a gas furnace.
Installation
Gas furnaces are easier and less expensive to install, as gas furnaces are larger and more intricate systems. Unless you have extensive experience installing equipment, it’s advised to hire a certified heating and cooling contractor for installation services.
Lifespan
In many cases, electric furnaces may last 20 or more years, while a gas furnace’s lifespan is typically 15 to 20 years.
Maintenance
Both types of furnaces require annual maintenance to perform at high efficiency. An annual tune-up will clean the interior components and find any potential problems that may lead to serious repairs down the road.
Safety
Because a gas furnace system combusts fuel, they produce carbon monoxide, which can be harmful and even deadly if a leak occurs. Carbon monoxide leaks from combusted fuel can most commonly occur due to a crack in the heat exchanger. This is why electric furnaces tend to be the safer option. However, gas furnaces are also a safe option as long as regular maintenance is performed on the heating system, lowering the likelihood of a carbon monoxide leak.
Energy Efficiency
Gas furnaces and heaters use less energy to heat the same amount of space as do electric furnaces, and they can also heat homes quicker. Electric furnaces, meanwhile, take more time to heat up as a series of coils are used as its heat source. In climates with cold winters, electric heaters can take even longer to homes. Electric heaters are also more prone to wear and tear as they try to keep up with the heating demands in colder parts of the country such as Indianapolis. For higher energy-efficient models, contact Thiele.
Contact Thiele for Furnace Installation Service
Thiele has provided the great residents of Indianapolis with heating and air conditioning service for more than a century. Our NATE-certified HVAC technicians are expertly trained to install all makes and models of heating equipment, including gas and oil furnaces, electric heat pumps, hot water boilers, and geothermal heating systems. When you need a new unit to help heat or cool your home faster than your current system is, get in touch with Thiele as soon as possible.
Not sure which furnace system is right for your home? The professionals at Thiele would love to help you weigh the pros and cons of each system to help you make an informed decision on what would be best for your home.
Even if you’re in need of another heating system, like a heat pump or a boiler, our professionals will work to find a solution for you. From an electric furnace or a gas furnace installation to a heat pump repair, Thiele offers all of the heating services that you need.
You can trust us for reliable service, but don’t just take our word for it. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, we’re a winner of the 2019 Angie’s List Super Service Award, and we have a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Google Reviews based on more than 200 reviews. For heating system repair, maintenance, and installation service, contact Thiele today to book an appointment.