5 Benefits of Upgrading to a Gas Central Heating Unit
Central heating is probably the most common HVAC system sold these days, but there is a little wiggle room when it comes to gas-powered or electricity-run heating units. The benefits of upgrading to a gas central heating unit are clear, with the number one benefit being the cost differential. There is also the potential for cleaner energy, depending upon whether the individual and the home use natural gas as opposed to propane or a dirtier gas.
What’s more, depending on how your local utility company is run, it could be that having gas is even cleaner and more sustainable than what they’re using to power the local grid. For any of your questions about upgrading to a gas central heating unit, your local expert, Entek, is just a phone call away.
1. Gas Heating Is Pretty Straightforward
A simple way to think about it is to imagine that a central gas heating unit warms cool air and then keeps the cycle going as long as the thermostat is turned on to heat the space.
More simply:
- Propane or natural gas burns, which generates heat.
- The heat travels through a heat exchange, which increases the temperature, making it hot.
- Then the furnace blower blows air over the heat exchange, which warms the air.
- Finally, the blower forces the circulation of the heated air throughout the ducts that navigate the home, creating a warm environment throughout the house or building.
2. Gas Central Heating Is More Eco-Friendly
For starters, gas heating systems are more efficient: they use less energy to generate heat than an electric heating system. That means, for every unit of energy used, you’ll get more heat from a gas system. Plus, that heat is going to be hotter than what an electric system can even generate.
In addition, natural gas is a cleaner fuel option. That may surprise you, as electric central heating seems pretty clean. After all, you’re not burning anything in your home and dangerous gases aren’t being emitted. But your electric company is generating that power using some type of fuel, and it’s probably coal. In 2020, 91.5 percent of the coal used in the US was used by electric power plants. And gas is by far a cleaner fuel source than coal, producing 45 percent less carbon dioxide.
3. The Costs to Run a Gas Central Heater Are Lower Than Electric
Gas central heating costs are also significantly lower than the costs of an electric heater, and because of this, deciding on a gas central heating unit makes for a better option. Although installation has its costs, over time, you’ll save a significant amount of money by installing the pipes that bring the gas into your home. There might even be an advantage to renovating or building and incorporating a gas range in the kitchen since the pipes will be there anyway. A gas-powered dryer or water heater might be an option too.
Even if the power goes out, the gas supply will not be disrupted by a failure in the grid, a blackout from a downed tree, or any weather-related issues. The only potential concern is that some of the units that burn gas to operate will also need electricity to make their thermostats work. In this case, the thermostat won’t be able to change or alter the heat setting or call for more heat. However, retaining a power generator for emergency situations will help you ensure you always have heat when you need it.
4. There Are More Cons Than Pros With an Electric Central Heating Unit
The main benefit of having an electric central heating unit is that it’s available to customers who aren’t hooked up to the gas grid. There are also some components that are easier to install with fewer parts, so to some, that in and of itself is a perk.
The primary con of an electric heating system is simply the cost. It is comparatively expensive. It can sometimes be up to four times more costly than the price of gas.
There is also a longer uptake for the system to process the request to warm up, and it can take a while for the house to actually get warmer. While gas central heating produces heat almost immediately upon turning on, an electric system takes a while to get rolling. So if you’re one of many homeowners who choose to turn their heat down to save energy while they’re asleep or not at home, that warm-up time in the morning is going to take longer.
Electric central heating depends 100 percent on electricity. So if there’s a power outage in your area, you could be left completely heatless.
5. There Are More Pros Than Cons to Having a Gas Central Heating Unit Installed
Beyond the cost benefits, gas furnaces are becoming more and more efficient. Even replacing an old gas furnace with a more energy-efficient model can be relatively easy in terms of installation, but packs great benefits cost-wise and environmentally.
When it comes to the cons of having a gas central heating unit, you’re often subject to some of the problems that come with the prices of gas. When gas prices go up, so does the cost to run your heating unit. Even though it’s cheaper than electricity by about four-fold, there isn’t much you can do about rising gas prices within the commodities market.
If you do opt for a gas central heating unit, be sure to have it serviced regularly and have a trained and certified technician check for leaks while they’re servicing it. This will ensure your system stays in the best shape it can be and that you’re not overpaying for your monthly utilities costs.
Give Entek a call to schedule a maintenance checkup or if you would like to look at an upgrade to a gas central heating unit.
