Compare guides
Compare the options for furnace repair.
Gas furnace vs Electric furnace
The two options buyers compare most in this category solve the same problem at different price points and with different failure modes. The honest comparison is cost per year of service, not sticker price.
| Question | Gas furnace | Electric furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $150-$600 | $3,000-$8,000 |
| Expected life | See the method guide | See the method guide |
| Maintenance | Lower | Higher or lower by exposure |
| Best for | Most residential jobs | Where the first option does not fit |
What the comparison hides
Two traps. First, comparing a premium material installed without prep against a mid-range material installed properly — the cheap install fails first. Second, comparing a five-year cost for one option with an installed price for the other. Normalise both to cost per year before deciding.
The cost hub has the line items, the methods hub explains the failure modes, and the contractor hub covers how to read the quote.
Is the more expensive option worth it?
When the exposure is hard on the cheaper material, or when re-doing the job would cost more than the difference. Otherwise no.
Can the two be combined?
Sometimes — a premium surface over a repaired base is a common compromise. Ask what warranty covers the combination.
All compare guides
Boiler vs ductless mini-split
Hydronic heat at $4,000 to $8,000 against a ductless heat pump at $3,000 to $5,500 a zone. Comfort, cooling and which retrofit makes financial sense.
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Boiler vs gas furnace: which heating system fits?
A boiler costs $4,000 to $8,000 and heats water; a gas furnace costs $3,000 to $8,000 and heats air. Here is how to choose between the two.
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Ductless mini-split vs gas furnace: which fits the house
A mini-split heats and cools for $3,000 to $5,500 per zone; a gas furnace heats the whole house for $3,000 to $8,000. The decision turns on ducts and fuel.
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Electric furnace vs boiler
Forced-air resistance heat at $3,000 to $6,500 against hydronic heat at $3,000 to $7,000. Comfort, cost and what a conversion actually involves.
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Electric furnace vs ductless mini-split
Ducted resistance heat at $3,000 to $6,500 against a ductless heat pump at $3,000 to $5,500 per zone. Why the mini-split usually costs less to run.
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Electric furnace vs gas furnace: cost and fit
An electric furnace costs less to install and more to run. Gas costs more up front and less per BTU. Here is the arithmetic for both sides of the decision.
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Electric furnace vs heat pump
Both run on electricity, but one makes heat and one moves it. Why a heat pump can use a third of the power, and when resistance heat is still right.
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Furnace repair vs heat pump
Repairing an existing furnace costs $150 to $600. Installing a heat pump runs $5,000 to $12,000. Here is when each option actually wins.
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Gas furnace vs boiler
Forced air at $3,000 to $8,000 against hydronic heat, with radiators, no ducts and different repair economics. How to choose, and what conversion costs.
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Gas furnace vs ductless mini-split
A furnace costs $3,000 to $8,000 for whole-house ducted heat; a mini-split costs $3,000 to $5,500 per zone. When each one makes sense, with numbers.
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Gas furnace vs electric furnace
Installed cost, running cost and comfort compared. A gas furnace is $3,000 to $8,000, an electric one usually less, and the fuel bill decides the winner.
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Gas furnace vs gas furnace: which build you are buying
The label hides three machines: single-stage, two-stage, and modulating, plus 80 percent and condensing venting. Here is how the gas furnace variants differ.
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Gas furnace vs heat pump
A furnace costs $3,000 to $8,000 and a heat pump $5,000 to $12,000. Why the heat pump can still cost less to run, and where it loses in cold weather.
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Heat pump vs boiler
A heat pump costs $5,000 to $12,000 and a boiler $4,000 to $8,000. Why the cheaper install can cost more to run, and where each one belongs.
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Heat pump vs ductless mini-split
Both are heat pumps; one distributes through ducts, the other through wall heads. Cost, efficiency and which suits your house, with worked numbers.
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Heat pump vs gas furnace: which is cheaper to run?
A heat pump costs $5,000 to $12,000 installed, a gas furnace $3,000 to $8,000. Here is the arithmetic on which one costs less to own and run.
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