Behind the heating system of every home, a furnace is the main powerhouse. There are different types of furnaces available in the market that you can use for your home’s HVAC system. This article will help you to understand what a furnace is and what the different types are.
What is a Furnace?
A furnace is one of the most important components of any house’s HVAC system. It starts working to heat your house as soon as you set your thermostat, and the fan starts to circulate the warm air throughout your home. Moreover, the heat transferring mechanism depends upon the type of furnace you have. The two most common factors to consider when it comes to choosing the right furnace are your budget and the energy source that you’re using.
Different Types of Furnaces
There are four main types of furnaces available in the market, and depending upon their features and unique needs, you can choose the one that suits you the best.
Natural Gas Furnaces
This type of furnace is highly economical. As far as the efficiency of natural gas furnaces is concerned, the older gas furnaces offer only about 65 percent of efficiency on average. However, the latest gas furnaces are highly efficient and provide 98 percent efficiency on average. In America, natural gas furnaces are the most commonly used type of furnaces, which cover about 50 percent of the whole country.
Oil Furnaces
This type of furnace is most commonly used in the northeastern region of the United States. As far as the efficiency of oil furnaces is concerned, they are less efficient as compared to the natural gas furnaces, which offer about 80 to 90 percent of efficiency. Although, the benefit of using the oil furnace is the lower upfront cost. You can save up to 25 percent of the upfront cost on oil furnaces as compared to natural gas furnaces.
Electric Furnaces
If you’re on a tight budget, then your best choice is to buy an electric furnace. You can save up to 50 percent of the money as compared to other furnace types. Many types of electric furnaces are available in the market that you can get according to your needs. Additionally, electric furnaces can last ten years longer than gas furnaces, and they are also very easy to install. But you’ll have to keep in mind that an electric furnace consumes more energy than a gas furnace, which means that you’ll have to pay high electricity bills.
Propane
Propane is basically a byproduct of gas and oil production. You can easily store it in a tank, and about 10 percent of US homes use it. If you live in a place where oil and gas aren’t available or easily accessible, then propane is undoubtedly the best option for you.
Verdict
Choosing the right furnace that fulfills your needs most efficiently and effectively is critical. Not only does it provide you with the most comfortable home atmosphere, but it also allows you to save money.
Omega can help you deal with any HVAC questions you may have. Check out our website or contact us at 404-438-0353.