Houston Heating Service > Propane Furnace

Switching to a propane furnace can save you money. Propane furnaces are a more cost-effective fuel option that provides consistent performance and easy maintenance. As propane furnaces last at least 8 to 10 years longer than electric heat pumps, they can be less expensive in the long run. About 5.6 million households use propane gas as fuel to heat their homes, according to a residential energy consumption survey conducted by the Federal Energy Information Agency.

Benefits Of Using A Propane Furnace

Using propane to power your furnace has many advantages.

In 2007, propane costs about 50 percent less per BTU than electricity.
When you have a power outage or shortage, you will still be able to heat your home with propane.
Propane gas furnaces cost 30 to 60 percent less to operate than electric heating pumps and wood furnaces.
Propane furnaces supply warm air at a consistently higher temperature (120° F), than electric heat pumps, which provide air at 95° F.
Propane can heat a tankful of water in 20 minutes; heating that same tankful with electricity may take up to an hour.
Propane is easily available and considered environmentally friendly.

It is better to buy a new propane furnace rather than a conversion as high efficiency propane furnaces are available in the range of 92-94 percent efficient at very reasonable prices.

How Propane Furnaces Are Structured

Propane gas furnaces can be operated easily with the help of a switch or a remote control. They have certain design advantages relating to their venting and exhaust systems and how much space they take up. They can be vented vertically or horizontally, which eliminates the need for a chimney and the costs related with it. The exhaust of a propane furnace is cooler than the conventional furnace.s and it can be vented with PVC piping. The latest propane furnaces are compactly built, and in modern homes where space could be a constraint, they give you more options when it comes to placement.

Common Types of Propane Furnaces

Central Propane Furnaces are placed at a central location in a home, and provide heated air through ducts or vents. The venting systems in these furnaces can adapt to horizontal or vertical vents. Most of these furnaces have the highest efficiency ratings.
Combination Propane Furnaces use water heaters as the primary source of heat. Excess heat from the water heater is absorbed by an air handler system. This heat, which would have been wasted in an ordinary water heater, is used to warm the house through ducts or vents. These units provide heating for the living space as well as the water supply.
Wall Furnaces are usually used in small structures such as mobile homes. These furnaces have vents and include wiring. They are easy to install, and are safe and durable.