Did you know that heating and cooling account for 12% of the average American’s electric bill?

Even though we all rely on air conditioning, not many people take the time to consider how this technology works. Some people aren’t even sure which types of residential furnaces they have.

So what are the most common residential furnaces that homes have? Keep reading to learn about 4 different options that may be in your house.

1. Electric Furnace

Since tons of different appliances in our homes run on electricity, it makes sense that there are electric furnaces as well. These furnaces tend to be smaller than other kinds.

While their size makes them more affordable to purchase, they also aren’t the most efficient furnace on the market. This is the reason why many homeowners decide to install a heat pump as well to take some of the pressure off of the furnace.

2. Natural Gas Furnace

Natural gas is the most popular of all residential furnace types since around half of all Americans rely on this energy source. Natural gas furnaces used to have a bad reputation because the technology wasn’t that economical.

Thanks to improvements in manufacturing, natural gas furnaces don’t let anything go to waste. Not only will this help you save money in the long run, but you can also have peace of mind that your home will always stay at a comfortable temperature.

3. Oil Furnace

Oil furnances may not be quite as efficient and natural gas furnaces, but they make up for it in terms of installation costs. Depending on where you live, oil prices may be much more affordable as well.

It’s helpful to know that, if you live in the northeast region of America, your chances of having an oil furnace are higher than other places. The reason why is that oil works well in colder climates.

4. Propane Furnace

Propane is another handy kind of residential furnace option for homeowners who don’t have easy access to gas. Propane is the product that’s left behind during the extraction of both oil and natural gas.

Propane is stored in a tank, which means you’ll have to have it filled to keep your furnace running. Like all other furnaces, you need to keep up with replacing furnace filters so your home isn’t filled with dust and other harmful particles.

Now You Know the Most Common Residential Furnaces

If you’re ever in need of maintenance or repairs, it’s important to know what type of furnace you have before you Google “residential furnace near me”. Now that you’ve read this guide on the most common residential furnaces, you can be a more informed homeowner.

Was this residential furnace guide helpful to you? The furnace is only one element of a cozy home, so why stop learning there? If you’d like to read more about important real estate and home topics, click around our blog so you can keep up with the latest news.