Oil Furnace Vs. Electric Furnace: Pros and Cons

How to Choose Between Oil and Electric Furnace

Deciding the right type of furnace for your home is not a painstaking task. It requires having information about the compatibility of the unit with your needs and lots of other factors. When you are upgrading your HVAC system, you also think about changing the type. Unless you know the strengths and limitations of every type, it is difficult to decide. Here is how you will benefit from each type; oil furnace and electric furnace.

Benefits of buying natural gas furnaces are already known and obvious. Many homeowners are not able to have gas furnace due to many reasons. What you would do if you have to choose between electric and oil furnace. Here are the top benefits and drawbacks of both the types to choose wisely. Before you buy and call furnace installers Calgary, do go through this information. The basic features of the types can also help you in determining your best furnace type.

Key Features of Oil Furnaces

Oil furnaces are preferred for their durability. Once you install them there is no looking back for at least 20 years or even more than that. However, they should be installed by professional technicians. They will heat your home with energy efficiency as high as 83%. The modern oil furnaces today are highly efficient compared to that of yesteryears.

The major limitation of the oil furnace is that the owner should remember to fill the tank of the oil. Once you use it, you will quickly learn the schedules of the oil re-filling. Yet another benefit of oil furnaces is that you can manage and control the fuel. Homeowners can buy fuel at a time or regularly on contract. There is a scope of keeping a check on the usage of fuel.

Key Features of Electric Furnaces

If your home is not having a facility of gas lines, the electric furnace is yet another option. Electric heaters offer high energy efficiency as they do not have any vent to lose any fuel. A heat pump system will allow you to heat your home in winters and to cool it in the summer. Electric heating units are quite expensive when it comes to utility bills. They use lots of electricity and soars up your energy bills. But the heating process is slower compared to oil and natural gas furnaces.

For those who do not want to spend on initial installation, an electric heating system is the best option. You can save a huge upfront cost that you will spend on a natural gas furnace. Also, you will save on furnace repair Calgary expenses.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Oil Furnace

Likewise every other appliance, oil furnace has some benefits as well as limitations. Here is what you should expect from your oil furnace.

Pros

1. High Heating Capacity – Oil furnace delivers higher heat compared to a natural gas furnace.
2. Low Upfront Cost – Buying oil furnace is much cheaper than the gas furnaces.
3. Simple to store – Oil can be conveniently and safely stored at home without much hassle.
4. Sends out Signals – In the case of breaking down, the oil furnace will give out smoke or soot alerting the user.
5. Using an oil furnace allows you to control and conserve the fuel supply used for the heating system.
6. Ideal for Remote Areas – If you do not have gas lines in your region, oil furnaces are the best heating options.

Cons

1. Price – Oil prices will cost more than that of natural gas.
2. Storage Hassles – With oil furnace, you have to look after storing and refilling the oil in the tank.
3. High Maintenance – Oil furnace needs to be cleaned regularly due to the dirt and soot. You may also require adding additives in freezing temperature.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric Furnace

Electric furnaces are also a great heating option. If you are not able to have a gas line and also want to avoid the hassles of oil storage, electric furnaces are great. Here are the main pros and cons of electric furnaces.

Pros

1. There are no hassles of managing the fuel supply.
2. The upfront cost including new furnace installation Calgary is cheaper compared to gas furnaces.
3. Compared to oil and natural gas furnaces, electric furnaces are safe. There are least chances of explosion.
4. They have a longer shelf life ranging from 20 to 30 years. You do not spend frequently for calling furnace installers Calgary.
5. It is easy to maintain electric furnaces. There are at least hassles of cleaning.
6. Offers very high energy efficiency compared to other types.

Cons

1. The upfront cost is low but you will have huge electricity bills.
2. An electric furnace is good only for small rooms. If it is paired with other appliance, it may not perform sufficiently.
3. Do not heat homes as fast as natural gas furnaces in cold weather like Calgary.
4. Less green option compared to natural gas furnaces if there is the source is not solar.
5. Will leave you in the cold when electricity is out of order.

If you want to have room to room basis heating, electric furnaces are great. They are also ideal for small areas. Oil and gas furnaces have greater options when it comes to programmable heating. The best benefit of oil and natural gas furnaces is that they can work even when there is an issue with electricity at your home. For more information, call your trusted furnace fix Calgary companies.

As you choose furnace to upgrade your heating system, it is important to have a trusted furnace technician. A furnace not working Calgary issue in winters can be devastating. Make sure you get the unit serviced by a professional technician in fall and also in spring. Any issue related to unusual noise and odour should also be reported to remain safe at home with your heating options.

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