5 Basic Types of Furnaces
There are many different basic types of furnaces to choose from, with options including energy efficient gas and electric furnaces. Finding the right furnace for your home takes a little research. You should also know which features are most important concerning energy use, efficiency and installation. This guide will show you the basic kinds of furnaces on the market today.
Natural gas types of furnaces are made to use gas as the main source of power, and usually only cover heating for the home rather than having both heating and cooling systems installed. Natural gas is often warmer than electric and can also be beneficial if you find electric energy costs are overwhelming in the winter.
Combination Gas and Electric
Combination electric and gas furnaces are one of the types of furnaces to choose from. This type of furnace often powers heat for the home using natural gas and air conditioning power comes from electric. If you find that natural gas is the best option for the winter then you will want to opt for this type of furnace. In many regions, natural gas is warmer and more affordable than electric power for heating. You may want to find estimates for each power source in your region to determine costs.
Electric Furnaces
Electric furnaces are one of the most common types of furnaces on the market today. There are many different types and brands of electric furnaces that range from small outdoor units that power both heating and cooling for the home to smaller indoor types that power the air conditioning for summer. The main feature to look for when opting for an electric furnace is energy efficiency. A good furnace will meet energy star ratings. You can also check the consumer ratings for the furnace to ensure you have a good name brand.
Wood Furnaces
Wood furnaces are definitely less common than those types of furnaces that use natural gas and electric. Wood furnaces are often located outside or in the basement of the home and are stocked with wood once a day or more, depending on the thermostat setting inside the home. This is a good choice if you live in an extremely rural area and don’t have access to natural gas pipelines and don’t have a reliable electric source in the winter. If you get lots of snow and ice and have frequent power outages a wood heating furnace may be a good option for you.
Indoor Vs. Outdoor
When choosing types of furnaces for your home you will have the option of choosing an indoor or outdoor furnace. In homes with a space for an indoor furnace, such as a closet space dedicated to the furnace or a garage where the furnace can be housed, then you will like the added protection from the elements offered by an indoor heating and cooling system. If you don’t have a lot of space or you simply like an outdoor heating and cooling system then you can also choose this option.