One of the essential components of an HVAC system is the furnace. Your system starts heating air when you activate the furnace. The transfer of heat to the air varies depending on the type of furnace. Understanding the different types of furnaces will help you choose the most appropriate one for your household needs. Here is a look at some common furnaces used in HVAC systems.
Natural Gas Furnace
This type of furnace doesn’t break down quickly, which is why they ’ re inexpensive to maintain. Moreover, natural gas is the cheapest fossil fuel in the market. Therefore, using a natural gas furnace will reduce your monthly utility bills.
If you’re concerned about your carbon footprint, natural gas is your best option because it ’ s clean. Furthermore, it produces the most heat when you burn it, which means you ’ ll not use a lot of gas to heat your home.
Dual Fuel Furnaces
Like the name suggests, dual-fuel furnaces have two modes: a gas furnace and a heat pump. The heat pump removes heat outside and transfers it to your home. In the heat pump, an air handler warms the air as it passes through a coil of hot refrigerant. A fan then blows the warm air into your home.
When it’s cold, the dual-fuel system switches to the gas furnace model. These furnaces are efficient in terms of energy consumption. However, the cost of installation is expensive.
Electric Furnaces
An electric furnace is easier to install than a gas furnace. However, the running cost for these furnaces is higher than gas furnaces. One of the benefits of these furnaces is that electricity is available throughout the U.S., including in places where oil or gas is difficult to access.
Moreover, when you connect an electric furnace to solar panels, they can provide renewable energy, resulting in considerable savings in energy costs. These furnaces are safer than gas because there ’ s no risk of gas leaks, and there ’ s no actual fire in the furnace.
Oil Furnaces
If you want to invest in oil furnaces, make sure you have enough room on your property for storing oil. You also need a delivery company to fill up the tank regularly. This is because if you run out of oil, the furnace will not work until the tank is refilled.
Oil furnaces produce a lot of heat. These furnaces are easy to maintain, but the soot and dirt buildup can make them quite expensive to run. You need to clean the chimney and change the oil filters regularly to avoid the risk of a fire outbreak.
Oil furnaces are far cheaper than gas furnaces. However, these options are less efficient than gas because the fuel cost is high.
Propane Furnaces
A propane furnace is the best alternative if oil and gas aren ’ t accessible and an electric furnace isn ’ t feasible. Propane is derived from oil and gas. You can store propane in tanks on your property with lines running from the tank to your home. These options are popular since propane can be used anywhere.
These furnaces are versatile , they can be customized to operate on natural gas if there ’ s a propane shortage. Additionally, propane emits more heat than other fuels when it ’ s burnt. This means it will heat your home quickly.
When shopping for a furnace, you need to consider the type of fuel used and the running and maintenance costs. You should also choose the right size. Some of the factors that affect the size of a furnace include the size of your home, the height of your ceiling, and the number of windows in your home. Also, make sure you compare furnace reviews before you buy.
When it comes to your furnace, trust the folks who truly give a hoot! Let Hoot help answer your questions & find the best solution for your home or business. Contact Us today.
