Ohio may not be the coldest state in the union, but that doesn’t mean that winters here aren’t plenty harsh in their own right. By December and January, our average temperature hovers between 20 and 35 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning that an effective method of home heating is a must for those residing in our great state.

Nowadays, homeowners have options for heating their houses so they can enjoy safe and comfortable winters, and some of these are more suited to Ohio’s unique climate conditions than others. The most common type of furnace in Ohio homes is the natural gas furnace. However, propane and electric furnaces and heat pumps are also popular options, and deciding which furnace is right for a particular home ultimately depends on factors such as existing infrastructure and the availability of fuel sources.

Below, we discuss each of these common furnace types, their advantages, and what makes them great furnace options for homes in the Buckeye State.

Natural Gas Furnace

Natural gas is not only the most common fuel source in the state of Ohio, but also the most common in the United States as a whole. There are several reasons for its popularity in the US and specifically in Ohio.

The first advantage natural gas has over many of its competitors is the fact that it burns extremely hot. In HVAC terms, that means it’s considered a very efficient method of heating a building. Less fuel is required to achieve the high temperatures required to heat an entire house than many other fuel sources, such as wood or electricity.

Natural gas is also widely available and fairly inexpensive compared to many other heating methods. As a result, it is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to generate heat energy, at least in areas where it can easily be accessed.

Speaking of accessibility, natural gas heating is also widely used in Ohio and other states since it can be transported easily through existing pipelines, a large infrastructure that already exists. Many Ohio homes already have built-in natural gas pipes and ductwork for circulating the heated air, meaning that switching to an alternative source of heating could be cost-prohibitive or unnecessary given the expense.

Propane Furnace

While not as commonly used in Ohio as natural gas, propane is another widely available fuel source that has many advantages over other methods. In rural parts of the state and other areas where natural gas mains have not been installed, propane furnaces can often be found providing heat for homes. This is because propane can be transported easily by trucks and other vehicles, as it is able to be safely stored in large, refillable tanks. These tanks can also be installed above ground on farms and other properties, meaning that propane can be a fast and reliable source of fuel for the furnace in an Ohio home.

Another key advantage of propane is its energy efficiency. Even more so than natural gas, propane burns very hot, allowing for an incredible energy output from a small amount of fuel. This is particularly important in states like Ohio, where the winters are consistently cold. The ability to generate a large amount of heat energy quickly, cleanly, and safely is an important necessity here.

The fact that Ohioans also place a great deal of importance on environmental protection also makes propane an excellent fuel source. This is due to the lack of toxicity in both its liquid and gaseous forms and the fact that burning it generates minimal harmful pollutants.

Electric Heating

Another heating method commonly implemented in Ohio homes is the electric furnace. This option has the advantage of not requiring any type of fuel source other than a nearby power outlet. This makes them an excellent choice for heating in areas where natural gas and propane are impractical, either due to access or an inability to effectively vent byproducts.

Like natural gas and propane furnaces, some electric furnaces circulate heat through ductwork, but there are other options. This makes electric heating a common option in homes without that pre-existing infrastructure.

Electric heating works by sending a current into a resistance plate made from a nonconductive material, such as ceramic. As the current moves through the medium, heat is generated. This heat can then be transferred into the surrounding air without the need to burn any fuel source. This is a safer method for heating areas that do not have adequate ventilation for burning gas or propane. However, electric heating is also more inefficient, as a great deal of electrical energy is required to heat a home. Expect your energy costs to be higher if you utilize an electric furnace.

Heat Pump

For homeowners interested in maximizing energy efficiency, heat pumps are an excellent method for heating a building without the need for any type of expensive fuel source. Requiring only a small amount of electricity to power a compressor system, heat pumps use pressurized coolant to absorb heat energy from the outdoor environment and release it back inside the home. As with some other electric options, no ductwork is required.

The heat pump is one of the most inexpensive ways to heat a home, although a single heat pump is only designed for a smaller space. Many homeowners can save money this way, as they use heat pumps to heat only occupied rooms within a house. However, heating larger spaces requires multiple heat pumps.

It’s important to note that while heat pumps are an efficient method of heating, they are not for every home. They will not work for areas that experience extreme cold. Even in Ohio, they can struggle on the coldest days. If the temperature drops to below 20 degrees (as it often does here), a heat pump will have a difficult time drawing the necessary energy from the environment. This means that a backup method, such as natural gas, is often still necessary when using a heat pump. Because of this, they aren’t as common as the above furnace types.

Are you looking to upgrade the furnace in your Ohio home? Whether you plan to take advantage of your existing infrastructure or to install a new technology to supplement an older system, contact All Weather Heating & Cooling to discuss your options today. Let our experts help you find the best heating system for your home so that you can enjoy the cold Ohio winters feeling cozy and warm.