Do I Need to Clean My Electric Furnace Filter?

Furnaces contain air filters that need to be cleaned or replaced periodically. It's important to read the manufacturer's instructions and keep a record of furnace maintenance.

Are Electric Furnaces Efficient?

Electric furnaces are inefficient compared to other heating systems such as air or ground-sourced heat pumps. They are also less efficient than electric baseboard heating because they required the operation of a blower (large fan) to circulate air throughout the house. As well, if the distribution ductwork passes through unheated spaces or wall cavities, additional heat can be lost by air leakage or heat transfer to these spaces.

How Do Electric Furnaces Compare to Gas or Oil?

In the sense of transforming fuel into heat, oil is the least efficient at 80%, natural gas furnaces at 96% and 100% for electric furnaces. The final factor is the cost of the fuel used. With the increasing cost of electricity, electric furnaces are among the least cost-effective unless you are providing power from a renewable source, such as solar.

How Long Does an Electric Furnace Last?

Electric furnaces are built to last 20 to 30 years which is twice as long as gas furnaces.

In-Depth Product Guide

Electric Furnace

FAQs

·Related

An electric furnace is an air heating unit with an electric element. They are a centralized heat source and are connected to a forced-air distribution system (ductwork).

Efficiency is rated as Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). All-electric furnaces have an AFUE of 100%; however, some models are designed to be compatible with heat pumps, which can obtain much higher efficiencies.

The electricity generation source is important when considering an electric heat source. If renewable energy such as wind, solar, or hydro is used to generate electricity, then electric heat may be a sustainable option.

Electrical resistance heaters were developed in the late 1800s, and at the time some of them used light bulbs as a heating element. This shows what the original incandescent light bulbs mostly produced - heat!

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