Electric furnaces aren’t exactly a new concept, yet they exist in the same world as gas furnaces. So what’s the deal? Is an electric furnace really more efficient, or is there a good reason that gas furnaces haven’t fizzled out yet?
If you want an electric furnace in Pearl, MS, there are a few things you should know first. We’ll talk about reliability, the average cost to operate, and break down the energy efficiency of electric furnaces (in a nutshell).
Electric Furnaces Stay Efficient for Longer
An electric furnace can last you 15-20 years or longer, but a gas furnace begins to show its age after about 10 years. Most gas furnaces won’t last beyond 15 years, and even if they do, their efficiency will drop drastically.
While electric furnaces also run the risk of becoming less efficient (especially as newer technologies emerge), the decline is much slower than a gas furnace. For the most part, electric furnaces will still be efficient enough to remain viable even after 15 years of continued service.
Electric Furnaces Run for Longer Than Gas Furnaces
Gas furnaces don’t need to run for as long as electric furnaces do. Combustion is simply a quicker method of achieving the desired room temperature, although it does introduce some caveats.
As we mentioned before, gas furnaces have a sharper decline rate than electric furnaces, so that initial efficiency will wane over time. Second, your gas furnace will have to be serviced more often than an electric furnace just to maintain its current efficiency rating.
You Spend Less on Repairs, but More on Heating
With electric furnaces, you don’t have as many components that can break as you do with combustion-based furnaces. That being said, they’re not perfect; they still require maintenance to remain efficient.
Because electricity prices fluctuate much more drastically than gas prices do (on average, depending on where you live), there’s an argument that electric furnaces cost more to operate. It’s difficult to say that the operating costs are more beneficial, but just keep in mind that electric systems should last for longer and with fewer safety hazards involved. There are benefits beyond just efficiency.
Better AFUE Efficiency
AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency. This tells you how much gas is converted into heat. High-efficiency furnaces have ratings between 90% and 98% on average. Obviously, there’s no gas with an electric furnace, but in the same rating system, they achieve 100% efficiency.
That sounds well and good, but it’s not enough to say “Okay, an electric furnace is definitely for me.” Based on your home, expectations from your system, and other contributing factors, an electric furnace might be the right option, or maybe it isn’t. A technician can help you better identify which system will work best for your home.
Time for the Switch to Electric
If it makes sense for your home, the switch to an electric furnace comes with numerous benefits and reduces unnecessary risks like the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. Contact our team if you’re ready to move forward and invest in a new way to heat your home today.
Contact AirSouth Cooling and Heating today to schedule an electric furnace installation and upgrade your home’s comfort.
