Electric Furnace vs. Gas: How to Choose

April 22, 2025

As a homeowner, you probably have questions about heating solutions, including whether electric furnaces or gas furnaces are better. Picking the right furnace is critical for achieving optimal household heat without breaking the bank or having your unit break down. 

This electric versus gas furnace discussion explores how both systems work, their benefits and drawbacks, and what you should consider when selecting a home heating system. 

How Does an Electric Furnace Work?

Before discussing how they work, let’s discuss what they consist of. Most electric furnaces contain: 

• Coils
• Blower
• Ducts
• Exchanger
• Relay

All of these components are critical for providing your home with sufficient heat. With these furnaces, an electric ignition receives a signal, causing it to activate the heating elements inside the furnace. The ignition implement turns on the entire heating system. 

When the system turns on, the furnace pulls air into an exchanger, causing the coils to heat it up before being distributed into the ductwork via a blower fan. 

The relay inside the furnace controls the amount of electricity flowing through it so it doesn’t overheat. Once the home reaches the desired temperature, the system turns off. 

How Does a Gas Furnace Work? 

Here is what a gas furnace contains: 

• Burner 
• Igniter
• Blower Fan
• Heat exchanger
• Flame detector
• Gas valve

A pilot light ignites the burner, causing the heat exchanger to warm up the cold air it receives from furnace intakes. The blower fan pushes the heated air through the ducts before distributing it around the household. 

Similarly to an electric heater, a gas furnace remains on until the thermostat detects the desired temperature has been reached. There’s also a flame that remains lit until the home receives a sufficient amount of heat. These furnaces also rely on a natural gas line to transport natural gas to the home.           

Pros and Cons of Electric Furnaces

Are electric furnaces better than gas? Not necessarily. However, they’re not worse, either. It all depends on what kind of system you want and how much heat your home needs. Let’s examine the benefits and disadvantages of electric furnaces:

Pro: Upfront Installation

Electric furnaces are usually relatively cheap to install. They don’t require ventilation or a gas line to produce household heat. Because there are fewer components to manage, the installation process for electric furnaces tends to be smoother, especially when hiring an HVAC contractor.

Pro: Quiet System

If you’re concerned about noise, electric furnaces are the way to go. Again, this is due to the simplicity of their design. There are no vents, burners, or ducts that make rushing sounds when the furnace ignites. 

Pro: Safety and Longevity

Because electric furnaces don’t use fuel lines, the risk of a fire is minimal. Additionally, there’s no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, as electric furnaces don’t rely on natural gas to produce heat. Electric furnaces can also have a longer lifespan. Without the buildup of carbon monoxide, your electric furnace should be cleaner and operate longer.

Con: Heat Efficiency

Electric furnaces take a while to heat your home properly. The heating process is slow because the furnace relies on several coils as heating sources. Not to mention, it takes longer for electricity to create household heat. 

Another efficiency-related concern relates to cold weather. If temperatures drop below freezing, the components might break down. If any major damages occur to your electric furnace, contact Aksarben to schedule an appointment. 

Along with our furnace repair services, our technicians can work on ductless mini-split systems, geothermal heating systems, hybrid systems, zoned heating systems, and your thermostat.          

Con: Energy Costs

Electric furnaces can increase your monthly energy bill. This is because the cost of electrical power is usually higher than natural gas, so the more you rely on your furnace, the higher the costs. 

Pros and Cons of Gas Furnaces

Gas furnaces are incredibly reliable if you want sufficient heating in your home. However, they do have drawbacks. Let’s examine the pros and cons of these furnace types:  

Pro: High Efficiency

Gas furnaces can heat your home faster than electric systems, as the furnace burns fuel to heat the burner. This allows hot air to circulate through the gas exchanger, creating high indoor temperatures quickly. Additionally, the heat produced via a gas furnace has a higher temperature than heat produced by electric coils. 

Pro: Operational Costs    

If you’re concerned about monthly energy prices, gas furnaces are the safest bet. They don’t run on electricity, making them more cost-effective to operate. Natural gas remains 3.4 times more affordable than electricity. The less fuel needed to achieve optimal heat, the lower the energy bills. 

Pro: Reliability

Gas furnaces perform very well in freezing temperatures. Unlike electric furnaces, which pull in air from outside, gas furnaces operate by burning fuel until your home reaches a desired temperature. This combustion-based operation is not easily affected by drastic drops in temperature. 

Con: Installation Process

Gas furnace installation is comprehensive and time-consuming. There are several components HVAC technicians have to deal with to ensure safe operation. For example, the heat exchanger must be sealed correctly to minimize the risk of carbon monoxide. 

Plus, some homes might not have pre-existing gas lines or ventilation systems installed yet, so the costs to install them will be included in the setup process. 

Con: Routine Maintenance

Gas furnaces require periodic checkups. Some concerns with these furnaces requiring routine inspections include potential gas leaks, dirty ventilation, and condensation. Without routine maintenance that involves a deep cleaning, condensation will form, resulting in corrosion.

As part of our furnace tune-up offers, Aksarben will inspect your heat exchangers and clean the burners—all at a reasonable price. Request an appointment today. 

Electric vs. Furnace Gas: Which Is Better?

There is no one right answer to this question. Electric and gas furnaces are sound heating systems that operate somewhat differently. To help narrow down the selection process, ask yourself the following questions: 

• How much household heat do I need?
• How many routine inspections do I want?
• Does my area experience frigid temperatures?
• Do I want to rely on one furnace for several years?

It’s also important to note that utility rates will depend on your location. Utility rates differ because of:

• State policies on utility rates
• Energy source availability
• Local restrictions against natural gas 

Finally, not all HVAC technicians are qualified to work on both furnaces. Some are only certified to work on one or the other. Consult your local HVAC company and see what services they provide. Aksarben works on both gas and electric furnaces, and other systems as well.

Select Aksarben for Your Furnace Needs

We hope this electric vs. gas furnace info helps shed some light on the subject. Regardless of which furnace you select, Aksarben is ready to address your HVAC concerns. With 40+ years of experience, we can pinpoint every possible furnace problem so your system runs optimally. If you need a new heater, we can install one, too.

Request an HVAC service with us. For more information on electric and gas furnaces, check out our FAQ section below.     

Electric Furnace vs. Gas: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the biggest disadvantage of an electric furnace?

These furnaces take a while to heat your home. That, coupled with the fact that they rely on coils for heat, makes them vulnerable to wear and tear in extreme cold. They also cost more to operate.

2. What is the biggest disadvantage of a gas furnace?

Gas furnaces can be hazardous if not properly maintained and installed. HVAC professionals must consistently assess all components to minimize the risk of leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning. The initial cost of installing a gas furnace can be much higher, as well.

3. How much electricity does an electric furnace use?

Most electric furnaces use anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000 watts of electricity. However, exact estimates vary depending on the model and the size of your unit.