As homeowners we all know how costly it is to heat our homes and how much energy it takes. Your HVAC heating system uses more energy and cost more than any other system you may have installed in your home and is accountable for a high percentage of your home utility costs. With that said, many homeowners in their efforts to conserve energy year-round look to choosing a heating system that can help them accomplish that task.
In choosing a heating system to create a more energy efficient living space and save you money, the team here at South Nashville Heating and Cooling wanted to share with you some important facts about choosing between a gas or electric furnace that will help you to make an informed choice about your heating system.
ELECTRIC FURNACES
Electric Air Source Heat Pumps – An air source heat pump is capable of performing both heating and cooling needs in your home. This type of heat pump transfers the air in your home environment, weather cool air or warm air, to the outdoors. Heat pumps have proven to be an ideal solution for homeowners residing in areas with milder temperatures and climates and they provide more efficiencies than the traditional gas furnace, ranking high on the efficient rating charts.
Energy Efficiency – To measure the efficiency rating on furnaces of all types the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) is measured. When choosing your heating system, you want to give focus to the system rating. For instance, when shopping if you notice the system you are researching shows a rating of 80% AFUE and another shows a rating of 70% AFUE, the system with the higher percentage rating is the system that will perform more efficiently. As part of your purchase process, the experts here at South Nashville Heating and Cooling advise all our clients to also invest in proper insulation in their homes to help avoid the loss of heat and energy when you install your new system. That holds true whether you choose to install a gas or an electric furnace.
AFUE AND SEER RATINGS
When homeowners set out to purchase a new heating system, efficiency is by far one of the primary elements they give attention to. Typically, when a furnace reaches the 10-15-year lifespan marker, the chances are that the system is costing the homeowner a good deal of money in heat and energy efficiency. Older heating systems manufactured in years past did not focus on energy efficiency, which is reflected in the older design consisting of continuous pilot lights, one stage and exceedingly low AFUE and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratings (SEER). The SEER rating outwardly affects the cost of the furnace in addition to the operating costs themselves, and as a rule of thumb, the higher the SEER rating, the higher the cost of the system and the higher the savings in energy as well. Homeowners looking to purchase a new furnace need understand that not all heating systems are manufactured and created equal. So, performing your due diligence will help you to find the ideal fit for your budget.
NATURAL GAS FURNACES
Furnaces that run on natural gas are more common in most homes today than electric systems. If you are in the market for a new heating system and are currently using a gas system, we highly recommend you remain with a similar type system rather than incurring all the costs to transfer over to an electric style system and heat pump.
Much like heat pumps and other types of systems, natural gas systems that have high energy efficiency ratings are very common today. Natural gas affords homeowners the means of saving money on utility costs as they are designed to minimize energy use. To add even more energy efficiency to your natural gas system, homeowners can add a programmable thermostat to help control the temperatures in various zones of your home at various times of the day and night.
Though natural gas furnaces have their benefits, they also come with some safety hazards which can be avoided if homeowners also invest in carbon monoxide detectors and have routine maintenance performed on their gas system. In today’s market, energy efficiency standards are continually changing for the positive, and when systems are replaced homeowners get an overall better performing furnace and can enjoy energy savings on usage.
SUMMARY
Overall, electricity is much more expensive than natural gas and with todays innovative technologies gas furnaces manufactured today are highly energy efficient heating systems. Though they actually cost more than an electric furnace would, natural gas furnaces save homeowners much more money in the long term.
For more information about electric and gas furnaces and the comparisons of each, and to get all the answers you need about your home heating requirements, give a shout out to the experts here at South Nashville Heating and Cooling today. Having been recognized as your go to company for all your HVAC needs here in Nashville, our team of dedicated professionals stands ready to meet your needs. For a free consultation, contact one of our representatives today. With the holidays now upon us, the team here at South Nashville Heating and Cooling sends along wishes for a safe and Happy Holiday Season!
