When your home requires a new furnace, it’s easy to be intimidated by the process and all the considerations that you have to weigh.
We at D’Spain strongly believe that you deserve clear and complete information. We don’t want to sell you the product that will make us the most money in the short term. We want to sell you the product that is the best choice for you and your home, because our goal is to have customers that are satisfied in the long term.
This is a better investment for us, because satisfied customers are returning customers. And it’s a better investment for you, because you will be secure in the knowledge that you made the best decision about your furnace.
Since there is a lot to consider, we’d like to focus on the main choices that will narrow your selection options.
Energy Source
Furnaces are made in both gas-burning and electric-powered models. Once you’ve decided whether gas or electric is right for you, the process of selecting a specific furnace will become much simpler. So what are the benefits and drawbacks of each?
Cost
The price of the furnace itself is significantly higher when you choose gas. This may be balanced out by the lower cost of gas as compared to electricity. In most places, electricity is far more costly, but it’s worth looking into the price comparison from your utility companies. If the initial cost is your primary concern, electric furnaces may be a beneficial option.
Installation
You will require a skilled professional to perform your furnace installation in Boerne, TX for both an electric furnace and a gas furnace, both to easily handle the size and complexity of the system itself and to have the licensing required to connect to your gas main. If your home is not already connected to your local natural gas line, this will need to be done by the utility company before a gas furnace can be installed, and is a separate cost you should be aware of. An electric furnace is simpler and quicker to install, cutting down on installation costs.
Safety
Of course, combusting any sort of fuel in your home carries some risks. Loose connections or improper venting can lead to fuel leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. According to the AHRI (Air conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute), most safety hazards of gas furnaces are created by installation errors. The best way to keep safe is to have a highly qualified professional handle the installation. Electric furnaces are not totally without risk, as no electric appliance could be, but statistically, they are definitely safer than gas furnaces.
Efficiency
Gas furnaces tend to be significantly less expensive to run, so if your efficiency concern has to do with cost, gas is an excellent choice. If you’re concerned with efficiency for environmental reasons, the impact of an electric furnace varies depending on how your electricity is produced. To keep any furnace running at near-peak efficiency for as long as possible, make sure to schedule annual maintenance.
Lifespan
Electric furnaces, on average, last a little longer than gas furnaces. However, the difference is slight, so this may not be the most important consideration. You can expect a well-maintained gas furnace to last 10-15 years, while a well-maintained electric furnace will last about 10-20.
Contact D’Spain Sales & Service if you would like to schedule an installation or your have further questions and would like to know more about your furnace options.
