Different Types of Furnaces to Heat Your Home

With winter around the corner, you may be exploring heating options in your home. Your furnace is supposed to do its job quietly in the background, keeping everyone warm. But what if it suddenly gives up on you? Surprisingly, you do have alternatives. In the U.S., most homes rely on gas/forced air furnaces. These use natural gas to heat air, which is then circulated through ducts in your home. Despite recent increases in natural gas prices, it remains the most cost-effective heating fuel. However, gas furnaces come with downsides like the risk of carbon monoxide leaks and dependence on natural gas availability, which might be an issue in remote areas.

Electric furnaces provide another option. These furnaces use electricity to heat your home, and while the units themselves are typically less expensive than gas furnaces, operating costs can add up. When paired with solar panels, electric furnaces can recover their costs quickly, but running an electric furnace on power from your power company can lead to some hefty electric bills. They have the advantage of no carbon monoxide threats, and electricity is widely available.

A third choice is a heat pump, positioned outside the house, which offers both heating and cooling. Heat pumps "pump" heat from one area to another, extracting it from cold outdoor air and circulating it through your home. They use a refrigerant to cool hot air in the summer. Heat pumps are eco-friendly and eliminate the need for separate AC and furnace units. However, they may not perform well in climates with extreme temperature swings.

The heating and cooling team at Atlas Butler can guide you in choosing the right furnace or heat pump for your home. We’ve served Central Ohio for over a century, and we're available 24/7 for any heating system issues or to schedule a furnace installation. An annual maintenance service call can quickly determine whether your faulty furnace can be fixed or needs replacement. Call us today at 614-681-2167 to schedule an appointment or you can schedule your appointment online and choose your day and time.