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Electric and gas furnaces can both heat your home effectively. The right choice depends on which fuel you can use, what it costs in your area, and how cold your winters get. Those factors influence installation requirements, monthly bills, comfort in cold snaps, and safety considerations.
| Category | Electric furnace (resistance heat) | Gas furnace (natural gas) |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and cost | Often simpler if you already have adequate electrical service. | Often higher because it may involve a gas line, venting, and combustion setup. |
| Efficiency (at home) | Very high AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency), typically 95%–100%, because there is no flue loss. | High-efficiency models are commonly 90%+ AFUE (condensing), and some reach the high 90s. |
| Typical running cost | Often higher in many regions because electricity can cost more per unit of heat delivered. | Often lower where gas is affordable, but it depends on local gas prices and furnace efficiency. |
| Heat feel & recovery | Produces steady heat but may recover more slowly in very cold weather, depending on sizing. | Typically delivers hotter supply air and can recover faster in cold snaps. |
| Safety & risks | No combustion, no flue gases, and no carbon monoxide from the furnace itself. | Requires safe combustion, venting, and monitoring for CO risk and gas leaks. |
| Best fit | Homes without gas service, mild-to-moderate winters, or where electricity is relatively cheap. | Colder climates, homes already set up for gas, or where gas prices are favorable. |
A typical forced-air HVAC setup moves air through ducts using a blower. In winter, the furnace heats the air. In summer, the same ductwork can deliver cooled air from an AC coil or an air handler. That’s why people say an HVAC system ‘does heating and cooling’ as it often shares the same air distribution network.
The air filter, such as a Filterbuy replacement filter, sits in the return path (return grille, filter slot, or air handler cabinet). It helps capture particles before air reaches components like the blower and coil, and before that air recirculates through your home.
AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is the standard way to describe furnace efficiency. It tells you how much of the fuel’s energy becomes usable heat in your home over a typical year.
One important note: AFUE does not automatically mean “cheaper to run.” The price you pay for each unit of electricity or gas matters just as much (sometimes more).
This is the section that gets messy online, so here’s the clean way to think about it.
Upfront pricing changes a lot by home because the “furnace price” is only part of the project.
A professional quote should clearly separate:
In short, installation cost depends on what your home already has in place, while your monthly cost depends more on local energy rates and how well your home holds heat than on the furnace alone.
Several factors drive operating costs, including:
In mild-to-moderate winter climates
In colder winter climates
One key home factor that matters in every climate
Both electric and gas furnaces can be safe when a qualified technician installs them correctly and you keep up with basic maintenance. Here’s what to know for each type:
Electric furnace safety
Gas furnace safety
If safety is one of your top decision points, this is a fair summary:
No matter which furnace you choose, it still relies on steady airflow through the return ducts. That airflow depends heavily on the filter, because the filter affects what moves through the system and how hard the blower has to work.
Filterbuy makes replacement HVAC and furnace filters, including MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13 options.
A practical way to think about MERV:
During wildfire smoke events, the U.S. EPA notes it highly recommends a MERV 13 filter for added protection (if your HVAC system can handle it).
A higher MERV filter can add airflow resistance in some systems. If your system is not designed for it, you can create comfort issues or strain the blower. If you are moving up to MERV 13, it is reasonable to ask an HVAC pro to confirm your system can support it.
It depends on your local utility rates, but in many parts of the U.S., electric furnaces cost more to run because electricity often costs more per unit of heat than natural gas.
Electric furnaces are typically 95%–100% AFUE because they do not lose heat through a flue. High-efficiency (condensing) gas furnaces are often 90%+ AFUE, but they still vent combustion gases outdoors.
Yes. In a forced-air HVAC system, the ducts and blower move air year-round. The furnace heats the air in winter, and the AC coil cools it in summer.
Electric furnaces have no combustion, so they do not create carbon monoxide. Gas furnaces are safe when installed and maintained correctly, but they require proper venting and it is smart to use a working CO alarm.
Gas furnaces often feel stronger during cold snaps because they can deliver hotter supply air and recover faster. Electric furnaces can still work well if sized correctly, but comfort and cost depend heavily on your climate and energy rates.
MERV 8 is common for basic everyday filtration, MERV 11 is a step up, and MERV 13 provides higher particle capture. During smoke events, the EPA recommends using MERV 13 or higher when your HVAC system can accommodate it.
Filterbuy supports your HVAC system through replacement air filters (including MERV 8, 11, and 13) and offers an air filter subscription/auto-delivery option. Filterbuy also operates Filterbuy HVAC Solutions for services like repair, replacement, maintenance, and ductwork.
