Should I Buy a Gas or Electric Furnace? | Bryant Heating & Cooling

When Columbus gets hit with another round of snow, it's a fitting time for a Bryant Heating & Cooling cold-weather tip. One question I get asked all the time: should you buy a gas or an electric furnace? It's a fair question — and when it's time to replace a furnace, an electric unit can look awfully appealing because of the lower price. Electric furnaces are generally much cheaper than gas, in some cases up to half as much. But price isn't the whole story.

The case for an electric furnace

Electric furnaces have real advantages. Beyond the lower purchase price, they generally need less annual maintenance to keep running smoothly year to year compared with gas. They can also be cheaper to install, since they don't require the venting a gas furnace does. And they tend to last longer — in some cases nearly twice as long as a comparable gas unit.

Before you replace your furnace

Sounds like I'm making the case for electric, right? Don't call me to install one just yet — there are a few important things to weigh first.

For one, electric furnaces aren't as efficient at delivering comfort: they can take a while to heat up, while a gas unit heats quickly and generally puts out more heat, which makes your home more comfortable — especially in the kind of winters Columbus sees. There's also the monthly bill to think about. Even though gas units produce more heat, they do it more efficiently, which means lower fuel bills, and natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity here.

So what would I buy?

Electric furnaces are the right fit for some situations, but personally I prefer natural gas heat — it simply makes my home feel more comfortable. Pair a gas furnace with a whole-house humidifier and your home can feel like a tropical oasis even when it's bitter cold outside.

Whichever way you lean, the right choice depends on your home, your existing setup, and your budget. If you're weighing a replacement, see what a new furnace costs in Columbus, or give us a call — at Bryant Heating & Cooling, our goal is to serve you and make the whole experience a pleasant one.