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HEATING YOUR HOME WITH NATURAL GAS

Because your home’s heating and cooling system is the largest user of energy in your household, it’s important to have an efficient and reliable system. Nothing keeps your family warmer than natural gas heat. Natural gas heating systems are available in many different sizes, types and efficiency ratings so you should have no problem finding a system that meets your family’s needs as well as your budget.

Economics

So, why is a natural gas heating system the number one choice across America? On average, a high efficiency gas furnace . . .

Unlike heat pump systems, natural gas furnaces and boilers do not require back-up or supplemental heating systems. Also, natural gas furnaces have a higher average life expectancy than electric or oil furnaces or heat pumps. Natural gas furnaces can last six years longer than heat pumps, five years longer than oil furnaces and three years longer than electric furnaces. Natural gas keeps you comfortable and saves you money!

Efficiency

The efficiency of any heating system is measured in terms of its “Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency” (AFUE). The AFUE is a percentage and measures the ratio between the amount of energy that goes into a heating system versus the amount of energy that comes out as usable heat. The heat losses that can occur during start up and cool down, as well as the unit’s efficiency while it is operating are all taken into account. While most older natural gas furnaces and boilers have efficiencies below 65%, today’s natural gas heating systems feature efficiencies that range from 78% to 97%.

The chart at the right shows the efficiencies of today’s new natural gas and oil heating systems. Remember, older heating equipment will operate less efficiently.While electric heating equipment boasts efficiencies of 100% or higher, the efficiencies of electric equipment cannot be equally compared to the efficiencies of oil or natural gas heating equipment as shown above.

The process of generating and transmitting electricity from the power plant into your home is inefficient. By the time electric power has reached your appliances, as much as 70% of the energy used to generate it has been lost. With natural gas, almost no energy is lost between the gas well and your home. In fact, by the time natural gas has reached your appliances, the total energy lost is less than 30% (compared to the 70% lost during electricity’s travels).

Cost Comparison

When shopping for a new heating system, compare the purchase and installation price, the annual operating cost and warranty information of different systems. A higher efficiency system may cost more money but will pay for itself through lower energy bills. To compare units, use the federally mandated yellow EnergyGuide label found on most appliances. For heating systems, the EnergyGuide label will show annual operating costs using national average energy prices. It will also show how a particular model compares with other similar models in terms of energy consumption.

Lifetime Value

Is it worth paying a higher purchase price for a heating system in order to gain additional efficiency? The Department of Energy recommends that people who live in cold climates invest in the highest efficiency system available.

You can calculate the "payback" period for buying a higher efficiency model. (This is the number of years until you "pay yourself back" for the initial higher cost.)

Printer Friendly Comparison Chart (Click Here)  

Heating Equipment System One System Two System Three
Type of Fuel      
Installation Price      
Purchase Price      
Price Premium      
Annual Operating Cost (from EnergyGuide label)      
Payback      
AFUE