When to Use Gas Heating Unit？

There are several different ways to heat your home. Here in the Atlanta area, most people select one of three different options: gas furnaces, heat pumps, or dual-fuel heating systems.

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All three have their pros and cons. Let’s have a look at the differences.

Gas furnaces are efficient, effective, and popular.

If you use natural gas or propane to heat your home in winter, you have a gas furnace. Yes, you might also be using gas as part of a dual-fuel system, but we’ll get to that in a moment.

During warmer months, you typically only use natural gas for your stove or water heater. In winter, you consume more natural gas because you’re also using your furnace. The higher you set your thermostat, the more natural gas you use.

A gas furnace’s efficiency is expressed as its percentage AFUE or annual fuel utilization ratio. A standard efficiency furnace provides 80% AFUE. This means that 80% of the energy used by the furnace will heat your home. The other 20% is expelled as exhaust.

Many newer models offer more than 80% AFUE. For example, a 95% AFUE furnace only expels 5% of its energy as exhaust!

Here’s what a freshly installed gas furnace looks like. And yes, this one’s our handiwork:

Many people like gas furnaces because:

• Natural gas prices are relatively low at the moment, making gas furnaces cost-effective at high usage levels.
• During the coldest weeks of winter, gas furnaces use less energy than other fuel sources.
• The heat produced by gas furnaces just feels hot and toasty compared to the alternatives.
• Gas lines are everywhere in our area, and many homes are connected to them during construction. If you’ve already got the gas hookup, why not use it?

For all of these reasons, gas furnaces are popular in our area – they’re the most common type of heating system in metro Atlanta!

Still, gas furnaces aren’t all roses and smiley faces. They have their downsides, too:

• The “hot heat” produced by gas furnaces might satisfy your thermostat setting too quickly, leaving hot and cold spots throughout your home. This problem is often made worse by the fact that many HVAC contractors install oversized furnaces.
• If you get dry skin in winter, the scorching heat from your gas furnace doesn’t make things any better.
  At cool – but not cold – outdoor temperatures, they’re less efficient than some electric heat pumps.
• Natural gas simply provides more power than you need when outdoor temperatures are in the 40 to 60-degree range.
• Since natural gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), your safety depends on proper HVAC installation protocol and regular inspection of all furnace components. Basically, natural gas carries the risk of a CO leak. Electric heat pumps don’t.

Heat pumps heat the same way air conditioners cool, except in reverse.

An air conditioner removes heat from your home and deposits it outdoors. A heat pump heater, on the other hand, removes heat from the outdoors and deposits it inside your home.

A heat pump system looks a lot like an air conditioner (outdoor unit) and furnace (indoor unit) combination. However, the indoor part of a heat pump system doesn’t contain a furnace. It’s called the air handler, and it contains a coil and heat strips.

There aren’t any gas lines running to or from it. There’s no heat exchanger, and no combustion takes place inside of it.

The air handler simply moves air over a coil full of hot refrigerant. No burners. No flames. As the air passes over the coil, it gets warmer. A fan inside the air handler blows the warm air into your home.

Heat pumps are common, but less popular than gas furnaces because of:

• Efficiency: Heat pumps are less efficient during peak winter. Many of them struggle to provide heat when outdoor temperatures dip into the 30s.
• Heat strips: To continue heating your home when there’s a big heating load, electric heat strips turn on to supplement the heat pump. These heat strips are like a giant toaster inside your air handler. They keep your home warm when it’s cold outside, but it costs a lot of money to use them.
• Heat quality: In general, the air from a heat pump won’t feel as hot coming out of the vents as what you get from a gas furnace. It’s still warming your home, but it “blows cooler.” Some people don’t care for that. Keep in mind that a heat pump will still heat your home to the temperature on your thermostat, even if the heat feels different right against the vent.

The bottom line? Heat pump heaters usually rely on heat strips during really cold weather. Compared to a gas furnace, heat strip heating is extremely inefficient.

If you use heat strips during much of the winter, you’re bound to have high electric bills.

That being said, there are several things to like about heat pumps:

• They’re getting more efficient all the time. While a 15-year-old heat pump that resorts to heat strips in sub-40-degree temperatures is definitely a poor performer, much newer heat pumps reliably heat your home even as outdoor temperatures dip below freezing.
• Heat pumps don’t dry your skin out as much. Since the heat they produce isn’t as intense as heat produced by a gas furnace, you may be more comfortable in your home. You might not need that whole-house humidifier you’ve been thinking about.
• They’re more efficient than natural gas at cooler – but not cold – temperatures. If it’s in the 40s outside, there’s no point in using combustion heat if you don’t have to! Heat pumps are quite efficient on milder winter days.
• Since heat pumps don’t use combustion, they don’t produce CO. It’s just one less source of carbon monoxide leakage to worry about.

Dual fuel heating: the best of both worlds

By now, you’re probably thinking, “Hey, what if I could use a heat pump when it was cool outside but switch to natural gas when it got really cold?”

Well, we’ve got good news. You can! It’s called a dual-fuel heating system.

The idea behind dual fuel is simple. Heat strips are expensive, so it’s better to use natural gas when it’s really cold outside. At the same time, natural gas isn’t all that efficient when outdoor temperatures are in the 40s or 50s. Therefore, use a heat pump for cool weather and a gas furnace for cold weather.

In theory, dual fuel is the most efficient way to heat your home. Georgia Power sure thinks it is – they even offer a rebate to qualified homeowners who switch to dual fuel from an electric heat pump.

In reality, the dual fuel efficiency question is… complicated.

And it depends heavily on your situation. For instance:

• If you don’t already have gas lines, you’ll have to pay to have them hooked up. This could negate the savings from a dual fuel upgrade or render the efficiency gains negligible from a cost perspective.
• If you’ve got a working gas furnace, “upgrading” to dual fuel might cost more. While natural gas prices are still low, some people question whether a heat pump is sufficiently cost-effective at milder temperatures to be worth the upgrade. It’s usually not much more expensive to switch to dual fuel, but you’ll want to consider current gas prices when weighing your options.
• If you don’t use a lot of heat during the winter – and you currently have a heat pump – a new heat pump is probably more cost-effective. For heat pump owners who bust out the blankets and pajama pants while keeping the thermostat at 62 degrees, there may be little to gain from getting the gas lines hooked up and going the dual fuel route. If you’ve already got a heat pump, a new, more efficient one might serve you just fine.

In other words, some situations call for dual fuel. Others don’t. It all depends on your future outlook for cost and efficiency, not to mention your comfort levels.

Given the current price of natural gas (it’s low), switching to dual fuel is more of a comfort decision than an energy savings/cost decision. Many people prefer dual fuel because it gives them that “hot heat” in peak winter while not drying their skin out during the shoulder seasons. With dual fuel, they’re just more comfortable indoors.

Regardless of heater type, regular maintenance is key.

When your heating equipment isn’t properly maintained, it can fail. Sometimes, it fails when you need it most – think mid-January.

All sorts of things can cause your furnace or heat pump to quit. That’s why it’s important to have your equipment inspected by an HVAC pro before the heating season. A thorough analysis can reveal problems before they become serious (and before they lead to equipment failure).

Check out what a heating inspection should cover!

Whether you’ve got a gas furnace or heat pump, you want the system to work – and work well – all through the winter. A comprehensive inspection can get you there.

And you’ll keep warm when it matters most.

As we step into the winter months, it’s time to consider your heating options. Whether your home is warmed with electric heat or a gas furnace, you want to know your family will be comfortable when the temperature drops.

Understanding your heating options, like electrification or a hybrid system, supports a comfortable home and manageable energy bill. To help you decide the best way to heat your home, we’ll explain the differences between electric and gas heat, and give a brief introduction to the hybrid dual fuel system.

ELECTRIC HEAT

What is electric heat?

Electric heat is electrical energy that gets converted to heat. You can use electric heating to warm your home, to cook, to heat your water, and so much more.

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Beneficial electrification is the process of exchanging heating systems that use natural gas or propane, for systems that rely on electricity to reduce energy costs and emissions.

In order for electric heat to make sense for your home, two things must happen: you benefit and the environment benefits. For some parts of the country, electricity is the most efficient and cost-effective way to heat a home. In other areas, an alternative energy source is a better fit.

How does electric heat work?

Every electric heater has a heating element called a resistive heater element. An electric current passes through the heater element, which converts that electrical energy into heat energy.

Benefits of electric heating

• Improved indoor air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies fuel-burning appliances as one of the primary sources of poor indoor air quality.
• Better for the environment (in some areas). About 15 states rely on electric power that’s generated by hydro plants, nuclear plants, or wind turbines.
• Safer for your family. Electric heat does not use flammable oils or gasses, eliminating the risk of a gas leak or flue fumes in your home.
• Up-front cost. Installing an electric heating system in your home generally costs less up front than installing a gas-fueled unit.

Cons of electric heating

• Long-term cost. The cost of electricity is higher than natural gas in many parts of the country, which means you’ll spend more long-term to heat your home.
• Waiting for warmth. Electric heat takes a little longer to fully heat your house because the heating element must warm before you feel the results.
• No power = no heat. If you lose power during a winter storm, your heater will shut off until electricity is restored to your home.

TYPES OF ELECTRIC HEATERS

Forced heat furnace

Forced heat furnaces deliver warmth to your home through ductwork and are recommended for heating your house all at once. Large fans, called blowers, move air over a stack of resistive heat coils, called elements, to heat the air before it’s distributed throughout your home. The heating elements are activated in stages to avoid overloading your home’s electrical system.

It’s important that you buy the right size furnace for your home. A furnace that is too large will finish its heating cycle too quickly and not be able to effectively heat your entire house. A furnace that’s too small for your space will run constantly, shortening the life of the unit and causing a spike in your monthly energy bill.

Electric baseboard heaters

Electric baseboard heaters distribute warmth through convection. Warm air rises through metal fins, while cold air is drawn in through the bottom. This type of heater would need to be placed in each room of your home.

We recommend placing an electric baseboard heater under windows. The rising warm air counteracts the falling cool air from the window to maintain a more regulated temperature. The heater should fit tightly to the wall and sit at least three-quarters of an inch above the floor or carpet to allow cooler air to flow into it.

The quality of baseboard heaters varies depending on price and brand. Cheaper models can be noisy and often give poor temperature control. Look for labels from leaders in safety, Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), and compare warranties between models you are considering.

Electric wall heaters

Electric wall heaters use an electric element with a reflector behind it to reflect heat into the room. Once the air is warmed, a fan delivers the heat to the surrounding area.

This relatively inexpensive way to heat your home helps you save energy and lower your electricity costs. Electric wall heaters will need to be placed in each room of your house and installed on an interior wall for better insulation.

GAS HEAT

What is gas heat?

Gas heat is the warmth produced when a heating system, like a gas furnace, burns natural gas, propane, or oil fuels. It’s a reliable and largely accessible way to provide warmth and comfort to your family during the colder months.

How does gas heat work?

Natural fuels are burned to generate heat. Cool air is warmed by a gas burner and then circulated to your home through your ductwork. The fumes from the fuel-burning are exhausted through a flue pipe to the outside of the home.

Benefits of gas heating

• Low long-term cost. Gas heating is traditionally cheaper than electric heat.
• Faster full-home warmth. Hot air produced by gas heat travels through your home at 120 to 140 degrees, effectively and quickly warming the space.
• No delivery needed. Natural gas is delivered to your home through a series of underground pipes. Other fuels, like propane or oil, must be regularly delivered to power the furnace.

Cons of gas heating

• Increased health risks. Burning a combustible fuel produces pollutants that, overtime, can lead to allergies and other health issues if the flue gases leak into the airstream.
• Greater fire hazard. Gas heaters have the potential to become a fire hazard if there’s a leak or damage to the system.
• High up-front cost. You’ll pay a higher installation cost for your furnace and piping. The lifespan of your equipment will also be shorter than that of an electric unit.

TYPES OF GAS HEATERS

Forced air systems

Forced air heating systems and propane and oil-fueled systems burn natural gas to heat the air. Cool air is drawn into a heat exchanger, warmed by a gas burner, and then circulated throughout your home via ductwork.

Burning natural gas produces byproducts of water vapor and carbon dioxide. These fumes must be vented to the outdoors to keep your family safe. A flue pipe is used to ventilate these gasses from the home either through a wall vent or a roof boot.

Radiant water-based or hydronic heating systems

Hydronic or hot water systems use a gas boiler to create hot water. The water is then circulated throughout your home via pipes and tubes. This heating system can also incorporate radiators and baseboard units.

You need to use the same type of ventilation you would for a forced-air system, like a wall vent or roof boot. Make sure you have a way to properly expel any dangerous fumes from your home.

Natural gas space heaters

Natural gas space heaters are great for single rooms. You will need a heater for each room you want to keep warm, so this is not recommended to heat your entire house.

Radiant room heaters have a glowing panel that warms everything in its direct path. A convective heater warms the air in a room for a more balanced distribution of heat.

These heaters are compact and energy-efficient. They can be mounted on a wall or housed in spaces like a fireplace or stove unit. You even have the option of buying models that don’t need to be vented.

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WHICH IS CHEAPER, GAS OR ELECTRIC HEAT?

Electric furnaces are cheaper to install and set up, but gas furnaces end up being cheaper in the long run.

A new electric furnace installation costs between $1,568 – $6,574. The average homeowner pays $4,060, but that price varies depending on the location and size of your home.

A new gas furnace installation costs between $3,800 to $10,000. Each of these estimates includes equipment and labor.

Another important piece to consider is electric heating equipment lasts nearly twice as long as gas heating equipment. You can expect your electric furnace to keep you comfortable for up to 30 years, but you’re likely to only get the most from your gas furnace for 10 to 20 years.

How much does electric heat cost versus gas heat?

Electric heating costs more over time due to the amount of electricity it uses and its subsequent effect on your electric bill. However, there are ways to save money on your heating bills and even out the price between gas and electric heat.

Take a look at the average cost of an electric bill versus a gas bill in each region of the United States.

IS A HYBRID SYSTEM A BETTER HEATING OPTION?

A hybrid heating system combines a gas furnace with an electric heat pump, giving you the best of both worlds. This type of heating system is highly efficient and can help you save money and energy over time.

The electric heat pump can be used during milder temperatures. As winter gets colder and the temperature drops below a preset threshold, your hybrid system will automatically switch over to a gas furnace. You can also switch from the heat pump to the furnace manually.

Benefits of a hybrid system

• Hybrid systems can save an estimated 50% on yearly energy costs.
• You can qualify for a tax credit or rebate from either the federal government or your state. Ask an HVAC professional about incentives in your area.
• Your system does the work for you by automatically switching between electric and gas heating.

Cons of a hybrid system

• Hybrid systems cost more to install than an electric or gas furnace, averaging from $6,000 to $10,000 for the equipment and installation.
• This system still relies on fossil fuels when using the gas furnace, which can introduce pollutants into the home and environment.
• You will need to perform regular maintenance and upkeep on both the electrical and gas elements of the system to keep your family safe and warm.

There is much more to be said about the advantages of a hybrid dual fuel system and when it works best. A hybrid heating system may be more costly upfront if your home isn’t connected to the necessary fuel lines.

PICK WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOUR FAMILY

The right heating decision is highly influenced by where you live and your heating needs throughout the colder seasons.If you live in an area that’s below freezing for a large portion of the year, then a gas furnace is a better way to sustain warmth.

If you live in a milder climate that stays warm for most of the year, then an electric heating system could provide the right amount of heat for your home. Remember to perform regular maintenance and system checks on whatever option you choose. This will keep your heater running smoothly and your family safe during the winter months.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Gas Heating Unit. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.