Gas furnaces have become the devil of every eco-friendly blog in the last 10 years. It’s not as clean for the planet as electricity, but even electricity doesn’t come from perfectly clean sources.
The truth is that when it comes to furnaces, while electric is more energy efficient, it’s not cheaper for you, the homeowner. Let’s explain why you might want to install a gas furnace in Madison, MS even if you’re environmentally-conscious.
How Can You Tell How Efficient a Gas Furnace is?
You use a rating system known as annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). The higher the percentage, the more efficient the furnace is.
It’s no surprise that newer gas furnaces are more efficient than older models. It’s a technology that improves with time, and it’s not uncommon to find 95-97% AFUE-rated gas furnaces.
For context, older furnaces would hover somewhere around an 80% AFUE rating, give or take. There will be some waste that you can expect, but 95-97% efficiency is a much more favorable outcome than old furnaces.
Are Gas Furnaces More Efficient Than Electric Furnaces?
No. Electric furnaces have a 100% AFUE rating. They are optimized to transfer all of the energy they take into heat.
That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re better for your family. If you have a high-efficiency gas furnace, the small difference in percentage is negligible.
Electric furnaces are more efficient, but let’s think about your wallet for a minute. If you have the capacity and don’t like the negative side of having a combustion-based heating system in your home, you can opt for an electric furnace or even a heat pump.
However, when you look at the month-to-month cost of heating in your area, is it feasible? It’s different depending on where you live and what utility company you use, so it’s best to inspect and find out for yourself before making the decision to switch.
All Furnaces Lose Efficiency Over Time
One final note about gas furnaces is that they will lose efficiency over time, but so will electric furnaces. No system will operate flawlessly forever, especially when time is not on its side.
How is this a net positive for gas furnaces? It’s not, but it’s a point we need to make because some media will push electric furnaces so hard that they fail to mention that they are also susceptible to efficiency loss.
At the end of the day, it comes down to a few percentage points of efficiency. If you already have gas lines installed, there’s no reason not to consider a new gas furnace in place of your old one.
Install a New Gas Furnace Today
Gas furnaces provide excellent heat efficiency (especially newer models). If electricity is too expensive in your area and an electric furnace or electric heating solution doesn’t meet your needs, it’s time to replace your gas furnace with a more energy-efficient model and keep enjoying a cheaper cost of living.
Contact AirSouth Cooling and Heating today to install your new energy-efficient gas furnace as soon as possible and start reaping the rewards.
