Which furnace is best for you: Gas or Electric? (Pittsburgh)
This is an SEO sample, originally a Textbroker submission, self-published here in March 2026
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Gas and Electric Furnaces in the City of Champions
Another winter of low temperatures, wind-chill, and overnight frosts in Pittsburgh. Whether you own a home, rent, run a business, or are planning a new build, you may be thinking it’s time to replace your furnace. To help reduce costs and choose the best option, here are the pros and cons of the two most common furnace types.
Gas vs Electric Furnace: Quick Comparison
Gas Furnaces
-
Lower monthly heating costs
-
Faster, stronger heating
-
Higher installation cost
-
Requires ventilation and maintenance
Electric Furnaces
-
Lower installation cost
-
Easier to install in homes without gas lines
-
Generally safer operation
-
Higher monthly energy costs
Pros and Cons of Old-Fashioned Gas Furnaces
While some may think of gas furnaces as an “older” method of heating, these furnaces can be surprisingly efficient, especially given how cold and unruly winters in this part of the country can be.
As a start, gas heating is generally far less expensive month-over-month than electrical heat, as natural gas uses far fewer resources to produce than electricity does. They can also produce far stronger heat than an electric furnace, meaning they are ideal for larger indoor spaces such as multi-bedroom homes, warehouses, or larger storefronts. This all comes at a higher upfront cost installation, however, when compared to electric.
There is also the small but real risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if the unit isn’t maintained correctly, meaning delaying regular maintenance can pose a real risk to anyone living or working in the building. However, because long-term operating costs are relatively low and carbon monoxide risks can be reduced through proper ventilation and maintenance, the higher installation cost is often well worth the investment.
Pros and Cons of Modern Electric Furnaces
In contrast to gas furnaces, electric furnaces can be installed directly into existing electrical wiring in a home, which not only reduces the upfront installation cost but also shortens installation time. If your home doesn’t already have a gas line attached, installing one is a separate and sometimes significant expense, often requiring additional permits, safety inspections, hookups, and labor, in addition to the cost of the install. Electric furnaces, by contrast, hook directly into your home or neighborhood’s electrical distribution network, removing this step entirely.
And of course, since electrical furnaces are cheaper to repair compared to their gas alternatives, you may save additional money over time for useful additions like an air purifier or a smart thermostat, all services offered through a professional HVAC installer.
All of this is on top of the fact that electrical furnaces are generally safer than gas furnaces; there is no carbon monoxide risk and the units can be safely installed without ventilation, something most gas furnaces require.
There are a few downsides, however. Electric furnaces, while they can plug directly into a neighborhood electric line, are also more likely to cost more per month to operate, due to their constant use of power. This can be especially visible during winter storms when constant heat is a nessecity.
But regardless of this cost, the money spent installing an electric furnace is well worth it, especially if you have a smaller home or business. Electrical heat is practical and very efficient, and if the space you are heating is attached to an interior wall of an adjacent unit, this will reduce operating costs, as interior walls always help keep heat in, not out.
Performance Differences
Each kind of furnace will behave a little differently. Part of this depends on the size of the space you are heating, but also the fact that both gas and electrical heat interact differently in different spaces. Gas heat tends to be stronger and warms spaces more quickly. It heats smaller spaces very quickly, but makes practical sense in a larger space, including larger schools and office buildings. Electrical heat offers practicality by contrast, and heats smaller spaces slowly but evenly, taking longer to warm up but filling the space well once it has had time to heat.
A Professional HVAC Company
Let us take care of your heating needs, no matter what the season is. We have experts on call, 24/7, and have been leaders in our area for over 40 years. We offer full service furnace installs and repairs, as well as other HVAC needs, including residential and commercial.
Call us directly at 412-444-5860 or schedule online for repairs and installs today!