Are you shopping for a home and want to know what kind of heating is best? Or are you upgrading your HVAC and looking to install the best furnace possible?
If you find yourself in a situation like these, you may be wondering whether a propane furnace is a good model for a home. The short answer is yes. This is especially true if you live in a place with long, cold winters and want a heating system that can efficiently keep you warm and cozy.
A propane furnace offers many benefits that can make your home more comfortable and save you money on monthly energy bills over time. Read on to learn more about why a propane furnace is a good option for your home so you can make an informed decision.
Propane Furnaces are Great Substitutes for Natural Gas
You’ve probably heard about the merits of natural gas as a heating source, but one of its greatest downsides is that it isn’t always readily available. A propane furnace is a great option if you don’t have access to a natural gas line. It will save you money over the long term and won’t produce as many emissions as other types of furnaces.
Propane furnaces are not as efficient as their natural gas counterparts. However, they do still use less energy than oil-fired or electric furnaces. Additionally, they are an efficient source of heat for any size home or floor plan. The smaller models can heat rooms up to about 1,500 square feet, while larger models can heat homes up to 3,000 square feet.
Propane furnaces are typically installed in the basement or attic and have a long life span of 20 to 30 years, depending on the make and model.
Propane Is Cleaner, Safer, and Cheaper
Propane is cheaper than natural gas, which makes it more economical for homeowners. In fact, propane is so cost-friendly that over 5.5 million households in the United States use propane as their primary heating source.
Propane also burns more cleanly than natural gas and produces fewer emissions that can harm the environment. It’s also less volatile than other fossil fuels because its molecules are lighter and therefore more stable at high temperatures compared to heavier fuels such as oil or coal (which is used across the US to generate electricity).
Finally, propane can be stored easily in tanks outside your house so there will be no need to have a large amount of combustible fuel inside your home.
Propane Furnaces Have a High AFUE Rating
AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency and is measured as a percentage. It is the amount of fuel your furnace actually converts into heat compared to the amount of fuel it consumes.
So, if your furnace has an AFUE rating of 90 percent, that means that 90 percent of the energy from the fuel you use will be converted into heat to warm your home, with 10 percent wasted as exhaust gasses.
If you’re considering installing a propane furnace, then you’ll be glad to know that they qualify for Energy Star’s Most Efficient label and have AFUE ratings of 90 percent or higher. This makes them a great option for homeowners looking for efficiency.
Propane Furnaces Attract Tax Credits and Other Incentives
Another reason propane furnaces are a fantastic option is that they are eligible for a variety of credits and incentives, both in new construction and system replacement scenarios.
Propane furnaces are eligible for federal tax credits on qualified energy properties in newly constructed homes. This credit applies to the cost of installing a new propane furnace with an Energy Star rating.
The credit can also apply to installing a new propane heat pump that meets certain criteria (such as having an Energy Star rating).
Propane furnaces are also eligible for other incentives, such as rebates from the EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management Program, which provides money back for replacing inefficient heating equipment with newer models that use less energy and produce fewer emissions.
A Propane Furnace Keeps You Warm Even If There Is a Power Outage
Propane furnaces have a major advantage over electricity: unlike electricity, propane is a stored energy source. This means that you can keep your furnace running even if there’s no power to your home. That’s because your house will have its own supply of propane where it can be used as needed—and it won’t run out in an instant as electricity does.
In fact, this is the main reason why many people choose to make the transition from electric heating systems to propane ones. They want to be sure their homes will continue to stay warm and comfortable during power outages or other emergencies such as fires or floods (which are often caused by weather events).
However, this benefit comes with some drawbacks. For example, propane tanks cost more, are heavier than electrical outlets, require good storage, and are more dangerous than electrical outlets since they’re filled with flammable gasses.
Is a Propane Furnace Right for Your House?
Propane is a good option for many homeowners. If you don’t have access to a natural gas line, a propane furnace can be an efficient and safe option for heating your home. This is especially true if you’re looking for something more affordable than electricity but cleaner than oil.
Before you make your final decision, speak with an HVAC professional. They can provide good insight into whether a propane furnace is the best option for your house.
If you want to learn more about propane furnaces or whether to install one in your home, get in touch with the HVAC experts at Entek by calling us at (800) 633-1354 to speak to one of our industry specialists.
