More than half of your home's energy use goes toward heating and cooling your house, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Because central heaters take a big bite out of your budget, selecting an efficient model is important. Most homeowners choose between natural gas and electricity as the fuel source.
Replacement Considerations
The easiest route to take when replacing your furnace is to replace it with the same type. However, by doing so, you may miss out on the opportunity to improve the efficiency of your central heating and save on future energy bills. If there is no gas line to your home, you will need to install one, and that can be a large expense. If you currently have other gas appliances, such as an oven or dryer, you will need to add a line to accommodate a natural gas furnace if you don't already have one.
On the other hand, if you currently have a natural gas-powered boiler with radiators, you will need to install ducts to switch to an electric forced-air furnace.
How They Work
Natural gas heaters work by combustion. They burn natural gas, and the heat created by combustion passes into a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is a series of metal tubes that pass through the air path of the unit. Hot air is then forced into the ducts. Some central heaters are gas-powered boilers. Burning gas heats water in the boiler, which then travels through the house through pipes and into radiators that transfer the heat to the air. The water is cycled back to the boiler to be reheated.
Electric central heaters convert electricity directly to heat. Heat is circulated through the house by blowing it over the coil and through the ducts.
Advantages And Disadvantages of Natural Gas
Natural gas is cheaper than electricity in almost all cases. Depending on where you live, natural gas can be 65 percent less expensive to burn than electricity. However, natural gas also has the potential of being the source of carbon monoxide poisoning. This toxic gas is a by-product of burning natural gas and is the result of a malfunctioning central heater. You must also have proper ventilation and a flue to disperse trace amounts that always occur.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Electricity
Electric central heaters are typically less expensive to buy and install than the gas-powered counterparts. There is also no need to check and maintain a pilot light. Although there's no need for a flue or special ventilation, due to the cost of electricity as a fuel source, an electric central heater can have a higher total cost of ownership over its lifespan.
Efficiency Improvements
No matter which type of central heater you choose, make certain that you stop other leaks in your home by sealing doors and windows to improve its efficiency and reduce your energy bill. Installing a programmable thermostat is another energy saver. These allow you to alter your home's temperature at specified times, such as when you are not home or overnight.
Member Comments