Using Electricity To Efficiently Heat Your Home

Electric heaters can augment a home’s natural gas furnace in several ways. This augmentation is particularly beneficial for enhancing comfort, increasing efficiency, and providing flexibility in heating. 

Here’s how electricity can enhance your natural gas furnace for a warm and comfy home.

1. Supplemental Heating:

• Zone Heating: Electric heaters can be used to heat specific rooms or zones in a house. This is particularly useful in homes where certain areas do not receive adequate warmth from the central furnace.
• Reduced Central Furnace Load: By heating commonly used rooms with electricity, the load on the central gas furnace can be reduced, leading to potentially lower energy consumption and wear and tear on the furnace.

2. Energy Efficiency:

• Targeted Heating: Electric heaters allow for targeted heating, meaning you only heat the space you are using. This can be more energy-efficient compared to heating the entire house with the central furnace.
• Thermostat Control: Modern heaters that use electricity often come with thermostats and timers, allowing for precise control over the temperature and operation times, leading to energy savings.

3. Cost-Effectiveness:

• Lower Initial Cost: Electric heaters generally have a lower upfront cost compared to expanding or upgrading a natural gas furnace system.
• Variable Cost Advantage: In some cases, depending on the energy prices, using electric heaters for supplemental heating can be more cost-effective than running the gas furnace.

4. Flexibility and Portability:

• Portable Units: Many electric heaters are portable, allowing them to be moved to wherever they are needed in the home.
• No Installation Required: Unlike a natural gas furnace, electric heaters typically do not require professional installation.

5. Improved Indoor Air Quality:

• No Combustion By-products: Electric heaters do not produce combustion by-products like carbon monoxide or other gases, which can be a concern with gas furnaces, especially in poorly ventilated areas.

6. Safety and Maintenance:

• Lower Maintenance Requirements: Electric heaters generally require less maintenance than gas furnaces.
• Safety Features: Many electric heaters come with built-in safety features like automatic shut-off if they tip over or overheat.

7. Emergency Heating:

• Backup Heating: In case of a gas furnace failure, electric heaters can provide an emergency heat source.

8. Environmental Considerations:

• Potential for Renewable Energy Use: If a home is powered by renewable energy sources, using electric heaters could reduce the carbon footprint compared to a gas furnace.

Electric Heaters Can Help!

While electric heaters can effectively augment a home’s natural gas furnace, it’s important to consider factors like the size of the area to be heated, insulation levels, local climate, and energy costs. Additionally, safety should always be a priority, ensuring that any heating device is used in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and local safety regulations.

In summary, these heaters offer a versatile, cost-effective, and potentially energy-efficient way to supplement a home’s heating system, especially when used strategically in conjunction with a natural gas furnace. This dual approach can enhance overall comfort, provide greater control over heating, and possibly lead to savings in energy costs.