Homeowners have plenty of choices when it comes to furnaces, but many of them start with a basic question: Choosing between an electric furnace and a gas furnace. A good Bay Area furnace installation company can install either one for you, but you still need to weigh the pros and cons of each option before you come to a decision.
Bay Area Furnace Installation – Electric Furnace
An electric furnace can be a few different things, but for the purposes of this blog, we’re going to talk about an air handler that uses heat strips or coils to heat air that is circulated throughout your home. The biggest advantage of electric furnaces is that they rely on electricity instead of natural gas, which is mandated if your home doesn’t have access to a natural gas line. They can also be cheaper in some places where electricity is less expensive than natural gas. The downsides of these furnaces are that they generate original heat instead of transferring heat, and they do raise your electricity bill. They also tend to be less efficient than gas furnaces for larger homes, so they may have to strain to keep your house at a comfortable temperature. You will have to contact a company that provides heater repair in San Jose or Oakland before long if your furnace is pushed too hard, so you might want to consider a gas furnace if you live in a larger home.
What About Gas Furnaces for Your San Jose HVAC?
Gas furnaces are known for providing powerful heat, which makes them the more efficient heating option for larger homes. They also pair well with air conditioning, with many Bay Area HVAC companies offering systems that provide both heating and cooling. Natural gas is also often cheaper than electricity in many areas, so a gas furnace could be the cheaper option if you have access to a natural gas line. Adding a gas line to your home is expensive, which is really the biggest disadvantage of this kind of heating system. You should also invest in a carbon monoxide detector in your home if you want to make sure that your gas furnace is running safely, and you may have to install an additional indoor heating coil in your home if your air duct system doesn’t extend to every room in your house.
Many of the pros and cons of electric and gas furnaces depend on where you live and what is more affordable over time for you. If you have a smaller home with no natural gas line, an electric furnace is a great option. On the other hand, a larger home that already has a gas line will do well with a gas furnace. Element Home solutions, as a Bay Area furnace and air conditioner installation company, can give you the advice you need on what furnace is right for your home. Please contact us or call (888) 980-4822 for more information about how we can help you!
