Electric Furnace

[jod78]

I'm looking at getting an electric furnace installed in an upstairs and just wanted to get some input from those who know. It's not a great area to heat (about 850 square feet). I live in the south so our winters aren't too bad. I'm looking at electric furnace because 1) I don't want to run gas lines to the upstairs attic and 2) I don't want the expense of a heat pump. For now I'm just going with heat, but will get an AC unit at some point. Are the electric furnaces a good way to go? Are they very efficient? Thanks for the input.

[Wild Leg]

Electric furnaces are all 100% efficient.

That is, they give you a dollar's worth of heat for every dollar spent on electricity.
However, in many locations, they are the most expensive to operate, because of the cost of electricity.
Since it is in an upstairs, with mild winters, it probably is still a good choice.

Most heat pumps use an electric furnace as part of the indoor section, as backup/secondary heat.

[peytonc2682]

Where are you loacted in the south?

Here is Mississippi, electric furnaces are very common and are, in some areas, less expensive to operate than natural gas or propane units. This is because of our low electric rates.

[stafford]

If you plan to air condition in the future I'd scrape up the cash for a basic heatpump now which will do both heat & cool. Otherwise, ask for a heatpump airhandler with an electric heat pack in it instead of an electric furnace so you can add the heatpump on later.

[amickracing]

Be sure to ask about rebates aswell.

Around here it's usually a few hundred less to install a heat pump vs electric with A/C after rebates are taking into consideration.

[xv80satisfiedcust]

stafford,

That is an excellent suggestion. That gives them the flexibility to add heatpump (ac capability built in) with energy savings later.

jod78,

I'm surprised your contractors are charging a lot more for regular AC compared to heat pump. Have you priced how expensive regular AC is since the 13 seer requirement went into effect? You may discover the heat pump isn't much more. Stafford has got the best idea. I wish I had done this instead of getting a gas furnace and then heat pump.

[coolguysfl]

I know of no manufacture that makes a cooling ONLY air handler, they're all Heat Pump air handlers now. It's been that way for years thanks to flow-raters & now bi flow TXV's