When it’s time to replace your heater or furnace, our professionals will ensure the highest quality installation of any brand of gas or electric equipment. When choosing a heater or furnace, it’s important to consider the heating capacity of the unit. A unit that is too small won’t heat your home or business properly. However, a furnace that is too large will cycle off and on more frequently, causing additional wear to the components. It also wastes electricity and increases the cost of utilities. Other important factors include the cost of installation, operation and maintenance.
Gas Versus Electric Heat
If you’re trying to decide whether to install a gas or electric heating unit, there are pros and cons for both. The initial installation cost of an electric furnace is usually less than for gas. The cost of an electric furnace usually ranges between $670.00 and $2000.00. They are small and relatively simple to install since there are no gas lines or ventilation pipes required. Electric furnaces can typically be installed within a day. These units operate by heating electrical coils inside of an air handler. A blower fan forces the heat out through the ductwork. Fewer moving parts means the electrical heating system is easier to maintain than gas which helps lower the cost.
Gas heating systems are more expensive due to the complex components used to manufacture them. The cost of a gas furnace is usually between $1200.00 and $2400.00. It also takes longer to install gas heating since they require gas lines and chimneys for ventilation. Nonetheless, gas is a fairly abundant resource and is considerably less expensive in terms of operating costs than electric heating. Gas will heat an area more quickly than electric because the temperatures in the combustion chamber are higher than those produced by the electrical resistance of a coil. Gas combustion heats furnace air to between 130°F and 140°F while electric furnaces produce air below body temperature. Gas heat is also much more efficient than electric. More than 90 percent of the gas delivered to the furnace is used to produce heat while 70 percent of the energy of electricity is lost during production and transmission before it is distributed to the furnace.
Most Popular Brands
Gas remains the most commonly used heating fuel in the United States. The most popular brands of gas furnaces include:
- Coleman
- Trane/America Standard
- Carrier/Bryant /Payne
- Rheem
- Lennox
- Goodman
There are two major manufacturers of gas furnaces: United Technologies, which produces Carrier, Bryant, Heil, Tempstar, and Comfortmaker brands and Goodman which manufactures Janitrol and Amana brands. All furnace manufactures offer product that meet industry standards within a range of capacities. 99 percent of complaints about performance are the result of improper installation rather than manufacturer defects.
Heat pumps are the most popular heating source in the South and Southwest. These operate electrically and draw heat from the outside air then reverse the process to provide cool air in the summer. The most popular brands of electrical units including heat pumps are:
- Lennox/ Armstrong/Concord
- Carrier/Payne/Bryant/Tempstar
- York/Lux/Coleman
- Goodman/Amana
- Trane/American Standard
As with gas furnaces, electric furnaces are manufactured by approximately six different companies that represent more than 150 brand names. Preferences for one over another are most often dependent on the warranty and proficiency of installation.
Schedule a Free Heater Installation Estimate Today in San Antonio, Texas
Need a new heater or furnace installed in the San Antonio area? Call us today to schedule a free estimate at (210) 521-1500 and our team will be in touch shortly. We have over 25 years of experience in the HVAC industry, and are happy to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.