Total Electric vs. Gas Furnace

[Peggy]

I was planning to go total electric because gas prices are high and I'm somewhat afraid of gas now, although I've never had anything BUT a gas furnace - - - but somebody told me that an electric furnace just doesn't do the job that a gas furnace does. I'm not particularly cold-natured but I DO want adequate heating, so what's the opinions of the experts out there?

[Peggy]

Come on, folks - this isn't a hard question!

[rmurray]

Electric furnaces work perfectly fine Peggy...It is the heat pumps that leave some uncomfortable feelings...

[Peggy]

I don't want to go back and have to read those long posts about Seer factors and BTU's and other technical jargon that makes no sense to me, so - 100 words or less - do all electric furnaces have heat pumps or is there an alternative and what is it and how do the energy bills compare to each other?

Thanks

[rmurray]

Heating options most factoies might offer...
1)..heating oil...not too common in the SE
2)..Gas...both LP and Natural gas..LP is usually higher than natural gas...but natural gas is not often available in most areas..
3)..Resistance electric heat...(electric furnace)...this is the most common type of heat now in the SE...
All of the above are from the factory...
The 4th type of heat is part of the a/c system..heat pump..and is installed by the dealer..There are 2 kinds..self contained (in this case the home comes with no heating appliance at all just ductwork and connections) or a/coil..integrates with a factory furnace..
Efficiency...lowest to highest

1) Natural gas

2)Lp gas
3)oil
4)heat pump
These three very in order by local costs for the fuel
5) regular electric furnace..

With the incresed effiency of all aplliances today and with a great energy package in the home..the differences are negligable in moderate climates...In the cold tundra of the far North..It could make a big difference..In the comfort of the South..not much difference at all.

Count the words..did I make it??

[Threnody]

That was a lovely rendition of heating for dummies. The technical jargon whirlwind lost me as well.

[deanlogan]

Electric furnaces have come a long way, especially when paired with good insulation and modern energy packages. While gas tends to heat faster and may feel “warmer,” electric can absolutely keep up in most moderate climates. If you're in the South or a milder region, total electric is often more than adequate.