In the world of home heating, furnaces remain the most popular choice among Americans. Most homeowners prefer furnaces over other heating systems because of their higher efficiency ratings, lower operational noise, flexibility, and longer lifespan.
There are at least two major types of furnaces available on the market today and we want to help you see what type of furnace best suits your needs.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted heating company in Crystal MN. We are an authorized distributor of Lennox furnaces, which are some of the quietest and best-performing systems in the world.
Here are two of the most common furnace types:
Gas Furnaces
Natural gas furnaces are the most popular type of furnace because they are highly economical. These heating systems transform gas into heat by using burners, heat exchangers, and blowers.
There was a time when gas furnaces were only about 65 percent efficient—but those days are gone. Today, you can find furnaces with annual fuel efficiency (AFUE) rating of up to 99 percent. What this means is that such a furnace converts 99 percent of the fuel into heat while the remaining 1 percent goes up the chimney or elsewhere.
Types of Gas Furnaces
Single-stage furnaces only have one stage of heating: high. They have a fixed gas valve and a single-speed blower motor. When the furnace is on, it is running at full speed at all times. Whether it’s early fall or it’s the middle of winter, the furnace is operating at the same speed. This type of furnace is typically cheaper than the others, but the downside is that it uses more fuel because of the singular blower speed.
One the other hand, two-stage furnaces have a two-stage gas valve and a two-speed blower motor. This setup allows the system to perform depending on the environment they are in and produce the results you expect more efficiently. During early fall, the furnace may operate only at less than 60 percent of its full capacity. During the coldest parts of winter (when you need it to perform at full capacity), the furnace can deliver the required heat.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Gas Furnace
Natural gas furnaces have higher heating efficiency and their fuel costs less, but your home must be in an area where a gas supply is already available.
Also, gas heating systems usually require very little maintenance and there is no service contract required, but gas provides less heat output than oil.
And keep in mind that gas furnaces are quieter and cleaner, but they have a higher initial cost than oil furnaces.
Oil Furnaces
An oil furnace works similarly to a gas furnace. The only difference is that it vaporizes the oil into a fine mist mixed with air. The mixture is then used to ignite the burners inside a combustion chamber. The created heat then enters a heat exchanger, transferring heat to the air and increasing the temperature of a space to the level programmed by the thermostat.
Compared to gas furnaces, oil furnaces are generally safer because they do not leak carbon monoxide into the home. This is a colorless, odorless gas that is extremely harmful when inhaled for extended periods.
Also, oil furnaces do not run the risk of an explosion because the oil used is not explosive. In terms of lifespan, oil furnaces tend to last longer compared to their gas counterparts. On average, oil furnaces last 5-10 years longer than their gas counterparts.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Gas Furnace
Oil furnaces provide more heat than other heating sources, but an on-site storage tank is required and oil must be delivered.
Oil furnaces are regularly and easily maintained by the delivery company, but maintenance is more extensive due to dirt and soot buildup. What this means is that chimneys must be cleaned and the oil filters changed regularly.
Oil furnaces are generally more economical than gas furnaces, but their efficiency is lower and fuel prices are higher than with gas systems.
Questions? Ask Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
To help you make an informed decision, consult one of our heating experts. We’d love to answer any questions you may have and give you relevant information. We are your friendly Golden Valley air conditioning installation company.