The furnace is known as an efficient heating solution that keeps your home warm even when the temperature is at its lowest. If you are considering replacing your heating system with a furnace, be aware that there are various types that differ in the fuel used. Each has its own set of pros and cons.

The natural gas furnace

Benefits

Natural gas has the ability to heat a room evenly and quickly, which provides incomparable comfort. For comparison, a heating system using this fuel heats a house twice as fast as electrical equipment.

In addition, natural gas furnaces are subject to strict manufacturing and safety standards. Thus, these devices are highly safe and their effectiveness is almost indisputable. Here are other significant strengths:

• No need to worry about a power outage;
• Absence of black smoke during combustion;
• No ash or soot production.

Finally, natural gas is the fossil fuel that pollutes the least, since it only releases a small amount of carbon dioxide and water vapor when burned.

Disadvantages

Among the list of disadvantages of the natural gas furnace, we can mention the fact that the device operates on a non-renewable energy source. Once we have exhausted all underground natural gas reserves, this solution will no longer be possible.

The electric furnace

Benefits

The first advantage of the electric heating system lies in the fact that there is no need to store any fuel. The device does not need a tank or a chimney to evacuate smoke, as it does not produce smoke. Moreover, it takes up less space in the house.

Then, it is possible to manage the temperature independently thanks to a thermostat present on the units in each room. The electric furnace also produces optimum airflow, even if the filters are clogged.

An electric furnace is also silent, optimizing the comfort of the occupants of the house. Its purchase price is also relatively affordable compared to other types and its energy efficiency is very high.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of the electric furnace is the cost of electricity, which is increasing every year. In addition, as soon as a power outage occurs for various reasons, the system becomes non-operational.

The propane gas furnace

Benefits

While the safety level of propane furnaces has long been debated, this point has greatly evolved in recent years. The devices follow such strict standards that they have become almost as safe as models that run on natural gas.

The advantage of propane is that it mainly produces only carbon dioxide and water vapor during its combustion. It also optimizes the life of the equipment, which is not always the case with other energy sources.

A propane furnace makes it possible to heat the interior of a house almost instantly and uniformly. This offers significant comfort and makes it possible to make the living space pleasant to live from the moment you switch on the device. In addition, this type of furnace is not affected by a possible power outage.

Disadvantages

Like natural gas, propane is a non-renewable energy source. As a result, underground reserves will run out sooner or later. Its price is also higher compared to other energy sources. Despite the high energy efficiency of your furnace, your bill may be high.

The oil furnace

Benefits

Heating oil or fuel oil allows heat to be distributed quickly and effectively throughout the house. Warm air circulates better, which evens out the heat distribution. The most recent furnace models have been revisited by the manufacturers in order to be less noisy and more compact than before. Now, this equipment is no longer equipped with chimneys. Instead, they have a wall outlet that is much more aesthetic and discreet.

Oil is an energy source that can be combined with other dual-energy heating systems in order to benefit from the advantages offered by Hydro-Québec.

Disadvantages

Despite the fact that recent models of oil furnaces are more compact, they still take up a lot of space because of the tank intended for fuel. Like natural gas and propane gas, fuel oil is a non-renewable energy, and its price is constantly increasing.

When burned, fuel oil gives off a strong odor and produces soot. If there is a problem with the tightness of the system, the odor can spread throughout the house and soot can clog your home. Finally, highly polluting elements are released when fuel oil burns.

The pellet furnace

Benefits

The pellet furnace is an ecological heating solution. In fact, it works with fuels obtained through the recycling of sawdust. It is a natural, renewable energy source with a low environmental impact.

The pellet furnace is also relatively compact, thus taking up little space in the house. Recent models have an automatic feeding function to gradually add pellets without you having to intervene.

Another advantage of the pellet furnace lies in its high heating performance, adapting to any size of home. The price of pellets is also among the most affordable of the energy sources mentioned above. This allows you to make significant savings and make your investment profitable in the long term.

Disadvantages

The real disadvantage of a pellet furnace is the level of maintenance it requires. In fact, the granules, once completely burned, turn into ashes that must be removed regularly. It is also necessary to call a professional to clean the system, at least once a year to avoid clogging.