4 Different Types of Furnaces for Homes

There are many factors to consider when deciding which type of furnace is best for your home. The four most common types of furnaces are gas, electric, oil and propane. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks that you should consider before making a decision.

Let’s dive deeper into each type of furnace.

Different types of furnaces: The Gas Furnace

A gas furnace is a home heating appliance that uses natural gas as its fuel. Gas furnaces are the most common type of furnace in the United States, accounting for about two-thirds of all furnace sales.

How does a gas furnace work?

A gas furnace works by using a pilot light to ignite a burner inside the furnace. The burner emits a flame that heats up a metal heat exchanger. As the heat exchanger gets hot, it begins to heat the air that is circulated through the furnace by a blower motor. The heated air is then distributed throughout the home by a system of ductwork.

Gas furnaces are the most common type of home heating appliance in the United States, accounting for about 60% of all homes heated with natural gas.1 They are also popular in Canada and many other countries.

Advantages

There are several reasons why gas furnaces are so widely used:

• They are relatively inexpensive to install and operate.
• Natural gas is readily available in most parts of the world.
• Gas furnaces are very efficient, with most models having an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 80% or higher. This means that for every dollar you spend on fuel, 80 cents goes towards actually heating your home.
• Gas furnaces are very safe when installed and maintained properly.

Now that we’ve covered some of the basics, let’s take a more detailed look at each of these points.

Installation and Operating Costs

One of the main reasons gas furnaces are so popular is that they are relatively inexpensive to install and operate when compared to other types of home heating systems. The initial cost of a gas furnace is usually similar to that of an electric furnace, and sometimes even lower.

And once it’s installed, a gas furnace costs less to operate than an electric furnace because natural gas is cheaper than electricity in most parts of the world. In fact, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, “the average household spending on natural gas for space heating was about half the cost of electricity in 2015.”

Efficiency and Environmental Impact

Another key reason people choose gas furnaces is their high efficiency. Most modern gas furnaces have an AFUE rating of 80% or higher, which means that for every dollar you spend on fuel, 80 cents goes towards actually heating your home.

Compare this to older model furnaces with an AFUE rating as low as 60%, and you can see why upgrading to a new, more efficient furnace can have a big impact on your energy bills. Not only will you save money on fuel costs, but you’ll also be doing your part to reduce your home’s carbon footprint.

That’s because natural gas is a cleaner-burning fossil fuel than coal or oil, and therefore produces fewer emissions when combusted in a furnace.

Safety Concerns

When installed and maintained properly, gas furnaces are very safe. In fact, they are much safer than they were just a few decades ago thanks to advances in technology and safety standards. Today’s furnaces come equipped with safety features like pressure switches and flame sensors that help prevent accidents and explosions.

And if there is ever a problem with your furnace, you can rest assured knowing that there is 24/7 emergency service available from most major brands.

Choosing the Right Gas Furnace for Your Home

Now that you know some of the main reasons why people choose gas furnaces, you may be wondering which model is right for your home. There are many different factors to consider when selecting a furnace, including the size of your home, your climate, and your budget.

But perhaps the most important factor to keep in mind is the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of the unit. This rating tells you how much of the fuel used by the furnace will actually be converted into heat for your home, with higher ratings indicating more efficient models. 

When shopping for a new furnace, look for models with an AFUE rating of 80% or higher—these are usually the most energy-efficient models on the market and will help you save money on your energy bills in the long run.

Different types of furnaces: The Electric Furnace

An electric furnace is a type of furnace that uses electricity to heat the home. Electric furnaces are more expensive to operate than gas furnaces, but they are much cheaper to install. Electric furnaces are also easier to maintain than gas furnaces.

The most common type of electric furnace is the forced-air furnace. Forced-air furnaces have a blower fan that forces air through a heating element and into the ductwork of the home. The heating element in an electric furnace is usually a coil of resistance wire. When the current flows through the coil, it produces heat.

Another type of electric furnace is the baseboard heater. Baseboard heaters are placed along the baseboards of the home, and they use convection to circulate air. Convection is the process of hot air rising and cold air falling. As hot air rises, it pushes cold air down, and this movement of air circulates the air in the room.

Baseboard heaters are not as efficient as forced-air furnaces, but they are cheaper to operate. They are also easier to install because they do not require ductwork.

Electric furnaces are available in a variety of sizes, and they can be used to heat homes of all sizes. The size of the electric furnace you need will depend on the size of your home and the climate you live in.

Advantages of electric furnaces:

1. Affordable upfront cost: Electric furnaces are typically less expensive to purchase and install than gas furnaces. This is because electric furnaces don’t require any special venting or piping, and they can often be installed by the homeowner without professional help.

2. High efficiency: Electric furnaces are very efficient, meaning they convert a large amount of the energy they use into heat. This can lead to lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint.

3. Easy maintenance: Electric furnaces don’t require much maintenance and can often last for many years with little to no problems.

Disadvantages of electric furnaces:

1. Higher operating costs: Although electric furnaces are cheaper to purchase and install, they can be more expensive to operate than gas furnaces. This is because electricity is typically more expensive than natural gas, so running an electric furnace will usually cost more money.

2. Not suitable for all homes: Electric furnaces may not be suitable for all homes due to the fact that they require a dedicated circuit. Homes that don’t have enough space for a dedicated circuit may need to have one installed, which can be costly and time-consuming.

3. Additionally, electric furnaces produce heat that is concentrated in one area, so homes with poor insulation may not benefit from using an electric furnace.

Different types of furnaces: The Oil Furnace

An oil furnace is a type of furnace that uses oil as its fuel. Oil furnaces are either vented or unvented, and they come in a variety of sizes and styles.

Vented oil furnaces

Vented oil furnaces are the most common type of oil furnace. They are typically installed in homes that have a chimney, and they vent their exhaust gases through the chimney. Vented oil furnaces are generally more efficient than unvented oil furnaces, but they require more maintenance because of the need to clean the chimney on a regular basis.

Unvented oil furnaces

Unvented oil furnaces do not have a chimney, and they vent their exhaust gases into the room where the furnace is located. Unvented oil furnaces are less efficient than vented oil furnaces, but they are easier to install and maintain.

Size

Oil furnaces come in a variety of sizes, and the size of the furnace will determine how much heat it can produce. The size of the furnace is also a factor in determining the efficiency of the furnace. Smaller oil furnaces are typically less efficient than larger ones.

Natural draft or forced draft

Oil furnaces can be either natural draft or forced draft. Natural draft oil furnaces rely on convection to circulate air, while forced draft oil furnaces use a fan to force air through the furnace. Forced draft oil furnaces are more efficient than natural draft oil furnaces, but they are also more expensive.

Gravity fed or pump fed

Oil furnaces can be either gravity fed or pump fed. Gravity fed oil furnaces rely on gravity to circulate oil through the furnace, while pump fed oil furnaces use a pump to circulate oil through the furnace. Pump fed oil furnaces are more efficient than gravity fed oil furnaces, but they are also more expensive.

Single stage or two stage

Oil furnaces can be either single stage or two stage. Single stage oil furnaces have one burn chamber, while two stage oil furnaces have two burn chambers. Two stage oil furnaces are more efficient than single stage oil furnaces, but they are also more expensive.

Different types of furnaces for homes: The Propane Furnace

A propane furnace is a great way to heat your home if you live in a cooler climate. Propane furnaces are very efficient and can save you money on your heating bill. There are a few things to consider before you purchase a propane furnace, such as the size of the unit and the installation process.

When you are looking for a propane furnace, you will want to find one that is the right size for your home. The size of the furnace will be determined by the square footage of your home. You will also want to consider the climate in which you live. If you live in a warm climate, you may not need as large of a furnace as someone who lives in a colder climate.

The installation process for a propane furnace is relatively simple. Most units come with instructions on how to install them. However, if you are not comfortable with doing the installation yourself, you can always hire a professional. Once the furnace is installed, you will need to have it serviced every year to make sure it is running properly.

If you are looking for an efficient and cost-effective way to heat your home, a propane furnace is a great option. Be sure to consider the size of the unit and the installation process before making your purchase.