Are you thinking about upgrading your furnace? A furnace is a heating device that consumes energy to produce warm air. Some furnaces consume gas, whereas others consume electricity. If you currently have a gas furnace, you may want to switch to an electric furnace. Electric furnaces offer several benefits.

#1) Inexpensive

Electric furnaces are inexpensive. They typically cost less than gas furnaces. If you’re on a budget, you may want to choose an electric furnace. You can purchase a new electric furnace – and you can have it installed – for less than the cost of a new gas furnace.

#2) Consolidated Utility Bills

You can consolidate your monthly utility bills by switching to an electric furnace. Gas furnaces produce warm air by burning natural gas. They are gas appliances that, like other gas appliances, are connected to a natural gas line. If your furnace is the only gas appliance in your home, switching to an electric furnace will consolidate your utility bills. You’ll only get an electricity bill rather than an electricity bill and a natural gas bill.

#3) Safety

Electric furnaces are considered safer than gas furnaces. They are less like to cause structure fires, and since they run on electricity, they don’t produce carbon monoxide (CO).

Gas furnaces aren’t necessarily dangerous. When properly maintained, they can be just as safe as electric furnaces. They will vent the CO and other combustion gases out through a pipe. Nonetheless, electric furnaces are still favored by many homeowners because they don’t produce CO.

#4) Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is another reason to consider switching from a gas furnace to an electric furnace. They are more energy efficient than gas furnaces. Some electric furnaces have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of 100%. In other words, all of the electricity consumed by electric furnaces goes towards producing warm air.

Furnaces with a lower AFUE rating will lose some of their energy during this process. Gas furnaces typically don’t have a 100% AFUE rating. Some of them may have an 85% or 90% AFUE rating, but they won’t reach 100%.

#5) Saves Space

Switching from a gas furnace to an electric furnace may save space in your home. Most electric furnaces are smaller than gas furnaces. They feature a simpler design consisting of a heating element, whereas gas furnaces have a burner, combustion chamber and other parts. Because they are simpler, electric furnaces are smaller and, thus, take up less space.