Choosing a furnace for your home is one of those things you barely ever think about—honestly, you don’t—until you’re kind of forced into it. And then out of nowhere, you start noticing stuff you never paid attention to before… like how your place actually feels on those really cold nights, or how your energy bill keeps creeping up a bit more each month without you realizing it. And it’s definitely not like picking out some small kitchen thing you use once in a while. The furnace is basically what keeps everyone from freezing. With all the different types out there, and the brands and the fuel choices and weird price differences, yeah… it’s normal to feel unsure about where to even begin.
That’s kind of why this guide exists. Instead of throwing a bunch of complicated HVAC words at you, it just tries to break things down in a simple, honestly straightforward way. Just the basics: how gas, electric, and propane furnaces are different, what kind of prices you might run into, and which brands people usually trust. Nothing too fancy — just what you’d want to know before buying one.
Understanding the Main Types of Furnaces
Before you even start picking out a furnace, it’s worth getting a simple idea of the main types people actually use in their homes. Most houses end up with one of three kinds — gas, electric, or propane — and each one has its own little set of pros and cons.
Gas Furnaces
Honestly, the way a gas furnace works is pretty straightforward — it burns natural gas for heat, and then the warm air just gets pushed through the ducts and moves around the house like normal. They’ve been used for years and people like them because they’re strong, reliable, and heat a house pretty quickly.
How They Work
A gas furnace works in a simple, almost obvious way — it burns natural gas to heat up, and then the warm air gets pushed through the ducts and basically just ends up moving around the house. That’s really all it’s doing. Nothing fancy at all. Nothing fancy going on there. Nothing complicated — just the usual setup most homes stick with.
Why People Like Them
- They’re usually cheaper to run compared to electric or propane.
- They give off strong heat, so they’re great for colder places.
- You can get high-efficiency models now, some close to 98% AFUE.
- They tend to last quite a while — around 15 to 25 years is normal.
The Downsides
- You obviously need natural gas available, which not every area has.
- Installing one can cost more than you expect.
- You have to make sure the home has proper ventilation because of carbon monoxide safety.
Who They’re Best For
Gas furnaces are a solid pick for anyone who wants strong heat without paying huge monthly bills, especially if you live somewhere with cold winters and already have natural gas hooked up.
Electric Furnaces
Electric furnaces are pretty much what people go for when natural gas isn’t available or just too much trouble to set up. They work by heating up electric coils, and then the warm air gets pushed through the house — nothing complicated, just a simple system that does the job.
Advantages
- One nice thing is that they’re cheaper to buy upfront, which helps if you’re trying not to spend a lot right away.
- They’re easy to install, way less hassle than gas systems.
- Since nothing is burning, there’s no carbon monoxide worry, which honestly gives people some peace of mind.
- They run pretty quietly, so you don’t hear that loud furnace noise every time it kicks on.
- And most of the parts last for years, so you’re not constantly dealing with repairs.
Disadvantages
- The downside shows up on your monthly bill, because electricity can get expensive fast.
- They’re not great in really cold weather — on freezing days, they tend to struggle a bit.
- Bigger homes in heavy-winter areas may find them not strong enough to keep up.
Best For
Electric furnaces usually make sense for homes without natural gas service, or smaller to medium-sized houses in places where winter isn’t too extreme.
Propane Furnaces
Propane furnaces work kind of like gas furnaces, but instead of getting gas from a line, you just keep a tank of propane at your place. That’s really the main difference. A lot of people in rural areas go with this because they don’t have a gas line nearby, and propane is easy enough to store.
Advantages
- They give off a good amount of heat, pretty close to what natural gas does.
- Really useful for rural homes or places far from gas services.
- Honestly, compared to oil, propane burns cleaner—so it’s usually seen as a slightly better option for the environment.
- And getting the fuel is simple — companies can deliver it, and you just keep the tank filled when needed.
Disadvantages
- Propane prices go up and down, so some years cost more than others.
- You’ll need space for a propane tank, which not everyone likes having in the yard.
- And overall it usually costs a bit more to run than natural gas.
Best For
Propane furnaces are a good match for people living out in the country or anywhere gas lines don’t reach, but who still want strong, steady heating.
Furnace Costs – A Bit of a Mess, Honestly
Alright, here’s the thing — furnace prices? They’re all over the place. There’s no clean chart that tells you exactly what you’ll pay. It kinda depends on what you’re buying, your house size, installer, and where you live.
Gas Furnaces
So, just the unit? You might pay like two grand, maybe even six, depending.
If someone’s installing it too? Yeah, it jumps. Could be $4,000, maybe even ten.
And those super “efficient” ones? More money up front — but yeah, they save you later.
Electric Ones
They’re cheaper to get. Like 800 bucks, maybe up to $2,500.
Whole thing with install? $2,000 to $4,500, somewhere in that range.
But here’s the catch — electricity costs more to run, so monthly bills can sneak up on you.
Propane Units
You’re likely looking at somewhere between $2,000 and $5,500 just for the unit.
As for the full install? Could run you around $3,500 to $9,000, give or take.
No tank? Gotta get one. That’s another chunk of change.
What Messes with the Cost?
Honestly, random stuff adds up. For example:
- Big house? You need more heat = more expensive unit.
- High AFUE ratings (the efficiency thing)? Costs more.
- Ducts falling apart? That’s extra work.
- Some brands? Just expensive because… brand.
- And yeah — labor costs are different everywhere
Choosing the Right Furnace Size (The Real Talk)
Okay, so here’s the deal: when it comes to buying a furnace, size seriously matters. You don’t want something too small, because then your house is always cold and the thing never stops running. But if you go too big, it’s not great either — it’ll keep turning on and off like crazy, which ends up wasting energy and stressing the system.
Now, I know people like numbers, so here’s a rough idea I’ve seen work:
If your home’s small, maybe under 1,200 square feet, something around 40,000 to 60,000 BTUs usually does the trick. Medium-sized homes — like between 1,200 to 1,800 sq ft — probably need closer to 60,000 to 90,000. And if your place is bigger, say up to 2,500 square feet, you’ll want something in the 90,000 to 120,000 BTU range.
But honestly? These are just ballpark numbers. Every home is different. How drafty it is, how good the insulation is, how many windows you have — all of that changes things. If you really want to be sure you’re getting the right size, have an HVAC tech come over and do what they call a Manual J load calculation. Sounds fancy, but it’s just a way to figure out exactly what your house needs without guessing.
Best Furnace Brands People Actually Trust
When you’re shopping for a furnace, the brand matters more than you might think. Some brands just hold up better over time — they run quieter, break down less often, and use less energy.
Trane – Honestly, Trane has been around forever, and people swear by it. Their furnaces are built solid, run smoothly, and tend to last a long time.
Lennox – If saving energy is your thing, Lennox is a great pick. Their models are super efficient, though they can be pricey up front.
Goodman – If you want something dependable without paying a premium, Goodman is a solid choice. They’re easy to repair and parts are everywhere.
Carrier – These are known for being quiet and reliable. Plus, most of their newer systems work great with smart thermostats, which is a nice bonus.
Rheem – Rheem doesn’t get talked about as much as some of the bigger names, but their furnaces do a good job. They’re dependable, priced fairly, and usually come with strong warranties that give you peace of mind.
Recommended Online Shops for Furnaces & HVAC Equipment
If you’re shopping around for a furnace or even just some HVAC parts and accessories, it can be hard to know where to look. A couple of online stores consistently come up as reliable options, and they make the whole process a lot easier than digging through random sites.
ACFurnaceShop.com
So, ACFurnaceShop.com is basically one of those websites people end up using when they don’t want to spend their whole day calling different HVAC vendors. You can find all sorts of furnaces there — gas, electric, propane — whatever you’re dealing with at home. And if something small inside your old furnace has gone bad, like a motor or an igniter or some control board, they can help you get those parts installed too. They also feature air conditioners and heat pumps, so bundling your furnace with another HVAC product might help you save more on installation.
ApplianceShip.com
If you are looking for home appliances from a local retailer, ApplianceShip.com is one of those sites people end up visiting when they need a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer, or dryer. They’ve got a mix of home appliances and select HVAC equipment as well. So whether you need a new kitchen appliance or just something for heating or cooling, you can usually find it there without much effort.
Final Thoughts: Which Furnace Should You Buy?
At the end of the day, the “best” furnace really depends on a few things — like how big your place is, what kind of weather you deal with, your budget, and the type of fuel you actually have access to.
Most people end up choosing based on practicality more than anything else.
If you’ve got natural gas available, a gas furnace usually makes sense because it heats well and doesn’t cost a ton to run.
Electric furnaces are more of a budget-friendly option upfront, and they work fine if you live somewhere that doesn’t get extremely cold.
And then there’s propane, which a lot of rural homeowners go for since natural gas lines aren’t always available, but they still want strong heating performance.
Once you understand the basics — like how different furnace types work, what efficiency ratings actually mean, and how prices vary between brands — choosing the right one becomes way less stressful. With a little planning, you can pick something that keeps your home warm and comfortable for a long time.
