The autumn season will arrive a few months from now. So, we can expect more dried leaves to sweep, the smell of pumpkin spice, and enjoy the sweater weather. At the same time, make sure that your house heating system works well before the autumn season arrives. Otherwise, you might have to call a professional plumber to help you fix your pipe and drain problems at home.
Since you can expect the weather to be chillier in the next few months, having a heating system at home is a must. This is where furnaces come in. Most people know it is used for making glass, ceramics, and metals. However, there is also one that is used for indoor heating. Here are other important things you should know about furnaces and which one to choose.
What are furnaces?
Furnaces can be either gas-fired or electric. When the temperature drops below your thermostat setting, your furnace should automatically turn on and add heat to your home. The heated air then goes out through your vents using a blower.
A gas-fired furnace is an enclosed container that has a burner at one end and a flue at the other end. The flame heats the air inside the container, causing it to rise and exit through the vent. The heat from this process causes metal to melt in a pot placed on one of the shelves inside the furnace.
An electric furnace is a device that transfers thermal energy from one place to another. It does this by taking the heat from the outside air and transferring it inside, or vice versa. Its main burner is heated through an electrical ignition system. Each of these options comes with its pros and cons.
Gas furnaces: Pros and cons
Some of the most notable advantages of using a gas furnace are the following:
- It is less expensive to operate as it is powered by natural gas.
- It can heat your home faster, making it a better choice for homes in colder climates.
- It is more efficient and uses less energy to heat your home. It also uses natural gas that burns cleaner than using coal.
However, it also has a share of disadvantages, such as the following:
- It could only last up to 20 years, even with regular maintenance.
- It is more expensive and requires professionals to install.
- It is more harmful to the environment as it produces carbon monoxide that could cause poisoning in the worst cases. At this point, it is better to have CO detectors to prevent the unthinkable.
Electric furnace: Pros and cons
Meanwhile, some of the most notable benefits of using an electric furnace are the following:
- It has a lower up-front cost because it is cheaper and easier to install and can save on maintenance costs.
- It lasts longer. Proper care and maintenance can make your electric furnace last up to 30 years.
- It is generally safer to use. Although there is still a risk of fire incidents when using an electric furnace, at least you don’t need to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning.
On the other hand, using an electric furnace also has its share of disadvantages, such as:
- It is costlier than gas furnaces because of the use of electricity.
- It takes more time to produce heat.
- It is considered “less clean” when using electric heating than gas heating as it uses coal to produce electric power.
Which is better, gas or electric furnace?
The gas furnace can be a better option based on the abovementioned description. Then again, it depends on your house heating needs and whatever’s available in your area. Whatever you choose, schedule regular maintenance and call a professional plumbing service in Spring Hill, TN, for your pipe and drain repair needs.