What’s the Difference Between Gas, Electric, and Oil Furnaces?
From strong performance to lower energy bills, each type of furnace installation offers its own unique benefits. While gas and electric tend to be the most popular options in city areas, oil furnaces shine in rural environments where fuel sources are scarce. As a homeowner, you need to consider the operating cost, fuel availability, installation costs, and performance involved with each furnace type.
At Lakeland One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, our experienced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians have years of experience with oil, electric, and gas furnace replacements. If you are uncertain about the installation option your home needs, give us a call today.
Gas Furnaces: The Most Popular Choice
A gas furnace replacement tends to be the best choice if you already have existing gas lines. These units offer a high level of performance, ensuring your family can stay warm and comfortable all winter long.
Pros
- Excellent heating performance
- Low operating costs
- Good energy efficiency
Cons
- Expensive to set up if you don’t have gas lines already
- Shorter lifespan
- Potential carbon monoxide risk
- Increased carbon emissions
Electric Furnaces: Simple, Safe, and Reliable
For homeowners who don’t have existing gas lines, an electric furnace replacement is the best option. These units offer an excellent level of energy efficiency and are easy to install. They use heating elements to warm the air in a method that is similar to your hair dryer.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Clean for the environment
- No carbon monoxide risk
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Slower heating performance than natural gas furnaces
- More expensive operating costs than gas
Oil Furnaces: Powerful but Old-School
With an oil furnace replacement, you need to set up a tank that holds your home’s oil supply. Then, this oil can be used to heat your home. This type of Lakeland furnace replacement is significantly less common than the others. Because of a few key drawbacks, it is typically only used in off-grid environments or rural areas.
Pros
- Great for frigid climates
- Available in areas that lack other fuel sources
- Extremely durable
Cons
- Fuel delivery required
- High maintenance needs
- High carbon emissions
- Increased operating costs
Comparing Gas, Electric, and Oil Furnaces
To help you figure out the best furnace installation for your needs, we’ve compiled some of the essential differences between the types of furnaces available in Florida.
Fuel Source
Gas furnaces rely on natural gas to function. Because of this, you need to have your home set up with natural gas lines before you can install a gas furnace. While electric furnaces rely on electricity, oil furnaces use heating oil.
Efficiency: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)
The most efficient option is to get an electric furnace, which has an AFUE of 95% to 100%. Gas and oil furnaces both have AFUEs that can widely vary. Depending on the individual brand and make, a gas furnace can have an AFUE between 80% and 98%. In comparison, oil furnaces have AFUEs between 80% and 90%.
Operating Cost
In general, your operating cost will be highest with an oil furnace replacement. While electric furnaces have a medium to high cost, gas furnaces are extremely inexpensive to operate.
Maintenance Requirements
Oil furnaces have the most intensive maintenance needs. At the opposite end of the spectrum, gas furnaces necessitate the least amount of maintenance.
Lifespan Expectations
The lifespan of each furnace can vary significantly based on the brand, usage, and ongoing care. However, you can generally expect electric and oil furnaces to last between 20 and 25 years. In comparison, gas furnaces typically last around 15 to 20 years.
Environmental Impact
Electric furnaces have zero onsite emissions. Oil furnaces have the highest emissions, and gas furnaces fall in between the two extremes.
Ideal Usage
While gas furnaces are ideal for homes that have gas lines, electric furnaces work best in homes that don’t have any gas lines installed. Meanwhile, oil furnaces are oft used in rural or off-grid homes.
Which Furnace Is Right for You?
Are you struggling to choose between a gas vs. an electric vs. an oil furnace? To decide the right furnace for your family’s needs, you need to consider your fuel source, the local climate, and your budget.
- Gas: Homes that have existing gas lines should generally opt for gas furnaces.
- Electric: Electric furnaces are a low-maintenance option that is ideal if you don’t have existing gas lines.
- Oil: Oil furnaces work better for homes that are in rural areas.
Energy Efficiency & Modern Comfort
Because Lakeland has a mild climate, we also recommend heat pumps for local homes. These units are able to heat in the winter and cool in the summer, making them an especially versatile heating option.
No matter what heating option you choose, we can help. A modern furnace offers a higher level of energy efficiency, ensuring lower energy bills and improved performance.
Trust Lakeland’s Heating Experts
At Lakeland One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, we have helped countless residents decide on the right furnace replacement. Whether you have an outdated gas furnace or want to upgrade to an energy-efficient system, our team of experienced HVAC technicians can help. We’ll review the different types of furnaces and your existing setup. Then, we can recommend the best course of action.
Are you ready to explore your furnace options? We’re on time, or you don’t pay a dime! Reach out to our team today to learn more.
* gas vs electric vs oil furnace