Differnet Kinds of Furnaces
Furnace type differs on the furnace unit itself. Certain HVAC contractors will guide you on the furnace type that fits your home, but take the time to know each one’s advantages and disadvantages.
A forced-air system and a radiant or boiler heating system are the two most common choices for people who want to keep their homes warm in the winter.
A forced-air system pumps heated outdoor or indoor gas through metal coils in baseboards, radiators, and convectors to heat your home. On the other hand, radiant heating is powered by a boiler that heats the water, which transmits most of its warmth into the building via pipes embedded within floors; this type typically has underfloor insulation while furnaces may not have any.
The decision between the two is complex and should be made based on many factors, including budget; personal preferences about what kind of warmth they prefer (radiant heat warms up rooms more quickly); climate zone where you live in terms of how often it snows outside so that snow does not get inside your home if there.
Whichever you may choose, try to get an idea of what furnace does what and which of these are more suitable in your own opinion.
Gas Furnace
Gas furnaces offer an excellent choice for areas that experience harsh winter weather. It is the most popular type of furnace, frequently chosen by homeowners.
Gas furnaces are more efficient compared to electric ones, but it does come with with a disadvantage. Gas furnaces require regularly cleaning ductwork, annual inspections of the main unit, and replacement filters, increasing your monthly bills.
As for its installation, gas furnaces are more expensive. Making it a downer for homeowners who are on a budget, but it all comes down to the homeowner’s preference.
Oil Furnace
Oil furnaces are not as popular currently due to volatility in oil prices. But they remain a good choice for areas with harsh winters.
The installation process of an oil furnace is relatively simple, and it’s low-cost.
The downside? Oil furnaces are not as efficient, making them a bad choice for areas with milder climates that do have to worry about the efficiency as we would in Boston or New York City, considering its high-cost upfront before any savings kick into place.
Electric Furnace
If your home does not face winter snow or extreme temperatures, the electric furnace is a great choice for heating your home. Generally, electric furnaces have the lowest initial upfront costs as well.
Electric furnaces are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. They use electric coils to heat the air in your home or office—much like an oven uses electromagnetic waves of radiant infrared light (microwaves) for cooking food with microwaving radiation, so they produce no emissions into our environment that would harm you while also reducing global warming from carbon emissions.
Installing electric furnaces is relatively easy compared to gas furnaces. Unlike gas furnaces, there is no need to install ductwork as electric coils can be installed directly in the area you wish it heated. Typically, your living space will be provided with a localized heat zone rather than dispersing heat throughout an entire house (though this depends on how many rooms are being used).
