Winters around southeast Michigan can get frigid, and having effective heating is a matter of safety as much as it is comfort. While gas furnaces are the standard heating system installed in homes around the area, they are not the only option available. Explore both the pros and cons of using a gas furnace to heat your home.
Pros of Gas Furnaces
Gas furnaces offer many benefits that homeowners enjoy. These include home comfort, operating costs, and system compatibility.
Powerful Heating
One of the biggest reasons people in frigid climates appreciate gas furnaces is the heating power they offer. A gas furnace produces hot exhaust from burning natural gas, exhaust that can reach temperatures over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That heat transfers to the air circulating through the heat exchanger causing the supply vent air to enter the room at around 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Compare this to a heat exchanger that has supply vent temperatures of between 85 and 90 degrees. The result of this hotter supply of air is that people in the home feel it more directly during heat cycles.
Cost-Effective Fuel
One of the challenges of heating a home is the cost to do so. The variables that affect the cost include both your system’s rated efficiency and the cost of the fuel it uses. This is why finding the right system for your home requires evaluating beyond mere efficiency. For instance, an electric furnace is more efficient than a gas model, but natural gas is generally less expensive than electricity. It’s also more cost-effective than propane in part because most homes already have the infrastructure in place to automatically deliver it rather than requiring someone to deliver the fuel to your home.
Compatibility
When replacing a heating system, it’s critical to consider its compatibility with your current system. Compatibility considerations include whether the current system utilizes ducts, if the unit is packaged with the evaporator coil for your AC, if you have a smart HVAC system and if it’s part of a dual-fuel heat pump. Gas furnaces are most widely compatible because of their popularity and wide use across southeast Michigan.
Most Popular Heating System
The popularity of a furnace affects many aspects property owners consider when purchasing a system. First, with more popularity comes greater supply, which usually translates to lower prices. Wide popularity also means less learning and adapting to a new system and how to use it effectively. Finally, greater popularity means that a wider range of people will appreciate it when it’s time to sell your home. Further, if you decide to rent your home, renters often prefer furnaces as some of the cons don’t affect them, including installation cost, service life, and maintenance required.
Cons of Gas Furnaces
The benefits offered by gas furnaces have made them the gold standard around the area. Despite that status, they still have some drawbacks, from maintenance, installation costs, and exhaust emissions to name a few.
Shorter Service Life
The average gas furnace has an expected service life of 15 to 20 years when it’s properly maintained. This seems like an incredible service life and is around what most people expect. However, this is a little shorter than an electric furnace, which may last 20 to 30 years. A shorter service life means you’ll have to replace the unit more often, incurring the replacement costs more frequently.
Require More Maintenance
Every HVAC system requires maintenance to keep it functioning properly. This includes cleaning the circulating fan wheel and the heat exchanger, if there is one, and tightening mounting hardware and electrical connections throughout the unit. However, due to the burning of fuel, furnaces need the byproducts of the burnt fuel cleaned out as well. This soot can build up on the burners, the high-limit switch, and the flame sensor over time. Failing to clean it out regularly will inhibit how efficiently the natural gas burns. It can also prevent the fuel from igniting or cause the system to short cycle.
Can Be Expensive to Install
Gas furnaces can be expensive to install compared to other heating sources. For instance, an electric furnace simply needs to be placed in your home, connected to your ducts, and then plugged in. With a gas furnace, you need to connect it to the gas supply, which then needs additional testing to ensure there aren’t any gas leaks. If it’s a new installation, you may need to locate a gas run for the furnace.
If you can’t locate one, professionals will need to install the infrastructure. The installation technician also has to connect the unit to the exhaust flue and ensure there aren’t any leaks that can cause carbon monoxide exposure inside your home. This component requires extra certification from installation technicians, which means their labor costs more.
Exhaust Emissions and Thermal Loss
For those who are environmentally conscious, gas furnaces have direct exhaust emissions. A standard furnace has an efficiency of about 80% AFUE, which means that about 80% of the heat it generates goes into heating your home. The other 20% goes out in exhaust, which means that the exhaust is still mostly in the gas state and carries the toxic gases into the atmosphere. It also means that you’re losing about 20% of the heat to the air outside, increasing the system’s cycle length required to effectively heat your home.
Space Required
Furnaces require a lot of space to operate effectively and safely. First, they require space for ducts in your walls. They also require space under your flooring or in the crawl space below your home. Further, a furnace requires space around it to allow air to move and residual heat to dissipate. Ideally, keep at least 30 inches clear around your unit to ensure that it runs safely.
Is a Gas Furnace Right for Your Home?
It can be challenging to find the right heating system for your home. The cost of the system balances against the operating costs and the comfort it provides.
Before deciding on the system you’ll install, it’s important to get a proper size calculation. To get this, your home needs an HVAC load evaluation to ensure you’re looking at the proper size unit when exploring all of your options.
Next, consider what’s already installed in your home if you’re replacing an existing system. It’s usually more cost-effective to replace a system with something similar rather than a different style heater.
Finally, consider whether a dual-fuel system may be right for your home. This uses a heat pump as the primary heating source but has a gas furnace as a backup heating source when the temperature necessitates a more powerful heating option.
People around Farmington Hills have turned to AJ Danboise Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical for nearly 100 years to keep their homes safe and comfortable. Our expert team provides HVAC services, indoor air quality solutions, plumbing, and electrical services. We also provide generators and whole-home surge protection. Call to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced furnace installation technicians to explore the right type of heating system for your home.
Gas Furnaces: Exploring the Pros and Cons
Winters around southeast Michigan can get frigid, and having effective heating is a matter of safety as much as it is comfort. While gas furnaces are the standard heating system installed in homes around the area, they are not the only option available. Explore both the pros and cons of using a gas furnace to heat your home.
Pros of Gas Furnaces
Gas furnaces offer many benefits that homeowners enjoy. These include home comfort, operating costs, and system compatibility.
Powerful Heating
One of the biggest reasons people in frigid climates appreciate gas furnaces is the heating power they offer. A gas furnace produces hot exhaust from burning natural gas, exhaust that can reach temperatures over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That heat transfers to the air circulating through the heat exchanger causing the supply vent air to enter the room at around 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Compare this to a heat exchanger that has supply vent temperatures of between 85 and 90 degrees. The result of this hotter supply of air is that people in the home feel it more directly during heat cycles.
Cost-Effective Fuel
One of the challenges of heating a home is the cost to do so. The variables that affect the cost include both your system’s rated efficiency and the cost of the fuel it uses. This is why finding the right system for your home requires evaluating beyond mere efficiency. For instance, an electric furnace is more efficient than a gas model, but natural gas is generally less expensive than electricity. It’s also more cost-effective than propane in part because most homes already have the infrastructure in place to automatically deliver it rather than requiring someone to deliver the fuel to your home.
Compatibility
When replacing a heating system, it’s critical to consider its compatibility with your current system. Compatibility considerations include whether the current system utilizes ducts, if the unit is packaged with the evaporator coil for your AC, if you have a smart HVAC system and if it’s part of a dual-fuel heat pump. Gas furnaces are most widely compatible because of their popularity and wide use across southeast Michigan.
Most Popular Heating System
The popularity of a furnace affects many aspects property owners consider when purchasing a system. First, with more popularity comes greater supply, which usually translates to lower prices. Wide popularity also means less learning and adapting to a new system and how to use it effectively. Finally, greater popularity means that a wider range of people will appreciate it when it’s time to sell your home. Further, if you decide to rent your home, renters often prefer furnaces as some of the cons don’t affect them, including installation cost, service life, and maintenance required.
Cons of Gas Furnaces
The benefits offered by gas furnaces have made them the gold standard around the area. Despite that status, they still have some drawbacks, from maintenance, installation costs, and exhaust emissions to name a few.
Shorter Service Life
The average gas furnace has an expected service life of 15 to 20 years when it’s properly maintained. This seems like an incredible service life and is around what most people expect. However, this is a little shorter than an electric furnace, which may last 20 to 30 years. A shorter service life means you’ll have to replace the unit more often, incurring the replacement costs more frequently.
Require More Maintenance
Every HVAC system requires maintenance to keep it functioning properly. This includes cleaning the circulating fan wheel and the heat exchanger, if there is one, and tightening mounting hardware and electrical connections throughout the unit. However, due to the burning of fuel, furnaces need the byproducts of the burnt fuel cleaned out as well. This soot can build up on the burners, the high-limit switch, and the flame sensor over time. Failing to clean it out regularly will inhibit how efficiently the natural gas burns. It can also prevent the fuel from igniting or cause the system to short cycle.
Can Be Expensive to Install
Gas furnaces can be expensive to install compared to other heating sources. For instance, an electric furnace simply needs to be placed in your home, connected to your ducts, and then plugged in. With a gas furnace, you need to connect it to the gas supply, which then needs additional testing to ensure there aren’t any gas leaks. If it’s a new installation, you may need to locate a gas run for the furnace.
If you can’t locate one, professionals will need to install the infrastructure. The installation technician also has to connect the unit to the exhaust flue and ensure there aren’t any leaks that can cause carbon monoxide exposure inside your home. This component requires extra certification from installation technicians, which means their labor costs more.
Exhaust Emissions and Thermal Loss
For those who are environmentally conscious, gas furnaces have direct exhaust emissions. A standard furnace has an efficiency of about 80% AFUE, which means that about 80% of the heat it generates goes into heating your home. The other 20% goes out in exhaust, which means that the exhaust is still mostly in the gas state and carries the toxic gases into the atmosphere. It also means that you’re losing about 20% of the heat to the air outside, increasing the system’s cycle length required to effectively heat your home.
Space Required
Furnaces require a lot of space to operate effectively and safely. First, they require space for ducts in your walls. They also require space under your flooring or in the crawl space below your home. Further, a furnace requires space around it to allow air to move and residual heat to dissipate. Ideally, keep at least 30 inches clear around your unit to ensure that it runs safely.
Is a Gas Furnace Right for Your Home?
It can be challenging to find the right heating system for your home. The cost of the system balances against the operating costs and the comfort it provides.
Before deciding on the system you’ll install, it’s important to get a proper size calculation. To get this, your home needs an HVAC load evaluation to ensure you’re looking at the proper size unit when exploring all of your options.
Next, consider what’s already installed in your home if you’re replacing an existing system. It’s usually more cost-effective to replace a system with something similar rather than a different style heater.
Finally, consider whether a dual-fuel system may be right for your home. This uses a heat pump as the primary heating source but has a gas furnace as a backup heating source when the temperature necessitates a more powerful heating option.
People around Farmington Hills have turned to AJ Danboise Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical for nearly 100 years to keep their homes safe and comfortable. Our expert team provides heating maintenance and cooling services, indoor air quality solutions, plumbing, and electrical services. We also provide generators and whole-home surge protection. Call to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced furnace installation technicians to explore the right type of heating system for your home.
