Most of North Carolina has a relativity mild winter climate, though temperatures do fall below freezing quite often, and snow can occur throughout the state. That’s why it’s important to choose a reliable and efficient furnace.
But which type is best for your home? While electric furnaces use resistance coils to heat your home, gas and oil furnaces burn fuel. This guide will discuss the pros and cons of electric furnaces, gas furnaces, and oil furnaces and how each heating system compares.
Electric Furnaces
Electric furnaces use electric resistance coils to heat the air in your home and a blower to distribute it through your air ducts.
Although electric furnaces work well in areas without natural gas, it’s extremely costly to use. Heat pumps may be a better option if natural gas isn’t available, as they generate heat from electricity far more efficiently.
Pros
- They’re simple to install with only electric and air duct connections required.
- They’re easy to maintain and repair due to their simple design.
- No natural gas connection or fuel storage is required.
- They provide quiet operation.
- They’re the most environmentally friendly option.
Cons
- Electric furnaces take longer to heat up your home.
- Per BTU, electric resistance heating is more expensive than natural gas.
Gas Furnaces
Gas furnaces burn natural gas to heat the air in your home through a heat exchanger, which keeps the air and combustion gases safely separated. Once the air is heated, a blower motor distributes it through your ductwork.
They’re the most economical way to heat your home, but they’re more difficult to install and they can create safety issues if not maintained properly.
Pros
- Gas furnaces heat your home quickly.
- They can be up to 98% efficient at converting fuel to heat.
- Natural gas is one of the least expensive energy sources for home heating.
- Natural gas is a relatively clean fuel with minimal carbon or other emissions.
Cons
- Gas furnaces are more expensive to buy and install than electric models.
- Gas furnaces require more in-depth maintenance.
- Installing a gas line can be expensive.
- Without proper maintenance, gas furnaces can lead to natural gas leaks and carbon monoxide buildup.
Oil Furnaces
Oil furnaces operate similarly to gas furnaces, burning fuel to heat air through a heat exchanger, but the fuel is stored in a tank on-site and delivered as needed.
They can be a great way to heat a home without natural gas, but dealing with on-site fuel storage and potential leaks can be challenging.
Pros
- Oil furnaces can be over 95% efficient at converting fuel to heat.
- They feature a long-lasting, on-site fuel supply.
- They’re a great alternative to electric heat where natural gas is not available.
Cons
- Maintenance can be more complex than gas or electric furnaces.
- Home heating oil is dirtier and releases more emissions than natural gas.
- Removing or installing oil tanks can be costly.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Furnace
When you’re considering the different furnaces available for your North Carolina home, keep these factors in mind:
Installation Costs
Including the price of the equipment, the total installation costs for a furnace in North Carolina can range between standard and high-efficiency models:
- Electric furnaces: $2,000 to $7,000
- Gas furnaces: $3,500 to $12,000
- Oil furnaces: $2,500 to $10,000
Rebates
A federal tax credit is available for installing a new gas or oil furnace worth 30% of the project costs, including labor, for up to a $600 total credit. Qualifying systems include:
- Gas furnaces with an AFUE rating of 97% or higher.
- Oil furnaces that are ENERGY STAR®-certified and use fuel blends containing 20% or more of biodiesel, renewable diesel, or second-generation biofuel.
Some municipalities may offer property tax credits or other incentives, and utility providers like Duke Energy may offer rebates for certain types of heating systems, such as heat pumps.
Energy Efficiency
Furnaces are classified by their AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency ratings, which describe how efficiently they turn fuel into heat.
Basic gas furnaces are rated at an AFUE of 85%, meaning they convert 85% of the fuel to heat. The best models feature an AFUE of 98% or higher. Oil furnaces range from an AFUE of 80% to over 95%. Electric furnaces are rated 100% AFUE because they don’t require combustion.
Operating Costs
In North Carolina, the cost to heat your home with a gas furnace is about $22.15 per BTU compared to $39.95 for electricity. Although prices fluctuate, this is just under half the cost overall.
Lifespan
Gas furnaces typically last 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance, while the simple design of electric furnaces allows them to last 20 to 30 years. Oil furnaces fall in the middle, typically lasting around 25 years.
Maintenance
The maintenance of gas and oil furnaces is more complex than that of electric furnaces, but all furnace types need annual service visits in the fall to stay safe, efficient, and reliable.
Annual maintenance and inspections are especially important for gas and oil furnaces, as any damage to the heat exchanger or flue could allow dangerous combustion gases like carbon monoxide to enter your home, creating a safety issue that could lead to illness or death.
Schedule Furnace Installation in North Carolina
Is your home due for a new furnace? Trust Comfort First Heating & Cooling for a professional, high-quality furnace replacement. The furnace you install depends on your preferences, existing setup, and budget, but we’ll help you make the right choice.
Our technicians use the latest training, equipment, and techniques to provide a reliable, efficient furnace installation, and we offer trustworthy pricing, convenient financing options, and industry-leading HVAC installation guarantees to make the process as smooth as possible.
Our company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and we’re proud of our excellent customer reviews and Angi Super Service Awards.
Call Comfort First today to schedule a furnace replacement in the Triangle, the Triad, Charlotte, Jacksonville, or the Outer Banks.
