Today's natural gas heating equipment have efficiency ratings (AFUE) up to 98 percent, helping you lower your heating bills for years to come. They provide reliable, even heat to keep your family warm and comfortable.
Natural Gas Forced-Air Furnace
A forced-air system heats air in a furnace and uses a fan to force the warmed air through ductwork to the home's rooms. A gas furnace delivers consistently warmer heat than alternative options such as a heat pump, which delivers heat closer to body temperature.
As the warmed air is pumped into the room, it is mixed with the cooler existing air until the desired room temperature is achieved. At the same time as warmed air is being pumped into a room, some of the older, cooler air in the room is pushed into the return air ductwork to be reheated and recycled through the home.
Natural Gas Boilers
A boiler is the engine for a radiant heating system in the home. Radiant heat provides very even comfortable heat throughout the home. A radiant system does not have a blower pushing heated the air into a room, but heats the objects in the room using radiators filled with hot water or steam. A boiler can provide for the home's domestic hot water, too.
Natural Gas Radiant
Radiant floor heating turns entire floors into radiators, warming living spaces without uncomfortable hot or cold air pockets. It work by using heated water that is pumped from a boiler through a loop of flexible tubing embedded in the floor.
Garage & Space Heaters
Heat the room you're in, turn down your thermostat and save. Space heaters are an economical way to warm a single room in your home, your garage or workshop, or even your greenhouse. For a space heating option that is also beautiful, learn about natural gas fireplaces and fireplace inserts.
Garage heaters, or small-unit space heaters
Benefits:
- Perfect for garages, workshops, and greenhouses
- Cost just pennies per hour to operate
- Safe and easy to operate
- Lightweight, easy to install — most require no venting
- Wide range of sizes and models
- Helps avoid electrical wiring overload
Wall furnaces & room heaters
Benefits:
- Cost- effective warmth
- Models up to 100% efficient
- Direct-vent for easy installation
- Clean, efficient and quiet
- Safe operation with automatic shut-off features
- Easy installation; space-saving designs
Baseboard heaters
Benefits:
- Attractive, compact design fits along outside walls and under windows
- Low-cost, economical operation —up to 80% efficient
- Direct-vent for easy installation
- Safe, reliable operation
- Easy to maintain
All home heating systems need periodic care to extend their operating life, save energy and maintain their efficiency rating. The following are a few general guidelines to compliment your manufacturer's recommendations:
- Check your furnace filter monthly and replace according to manufacturer specifications.
- Have a professional service technician check your furnace annually to make sure it is running safely and efficiently. Consider timing your annual service call for late summer to "beat the first frost rush."
- Inspect the "cold-end' of the flue for ice build-up that could restrict exhaust.
- Ensure that the fresh-air intake is free of debris, snow, ice, etc.
You should consider replacing your furnace or boiler if:
- It your furnace is more than 15 years old or your boiler is more than 20 years old
- Current system needs frequent repairs
- Doesn't start at the beginning of the season
Buying a furnace or other home heating system is one of largest purchases you'll make. Here are some things to consider when shopping for a furnace.
Do your homework
Energy efficiency and rebates
- A higher efficiency heating system may cost more to purchase, but it can offer significant savings on your heating bills, depending on the equipment you buy. Although the purchase price may be higher for a more energy efficient model, remember, you will usually regain that extra cost and more in energy savings over the life of the unit.
- CenterPoint Energy offers rebates of up to $1,000 when replacing your old furnace with high-efficiency forced-air furnaces and $400 for new construction. Get boiler rebates up to $500 and receive a $50 rebate when you or your dealer installs a new smart or Wi-Fi programmable thermostat. . Gas verses electric - operating cost and environmental impact
- Operating costs with gas heating are typically about 50 percent lower than with electric resistance heating.
Replace your water heater and heating system at the same time
- An "orphaned" water heater is a storage tank style residential water heater that is left alone as the only combustion appliance vented to a chimney after a furnace or boiler is removed. The best way to avoid potential issues with an orphaned water heater is to replace it at the same time you replace your inefficient furnace.
Not replacing your old water heater when you upgrade your furnace or boiler can lead to potential issues ranging from leaking to carbon monoxide hazards. To learn more about orphaned water heaters, view the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources (PDF) fact sheet.
- Keep the area near the furnace or boiler clear of flammable liquids (gasoline, paint products, solvents or cleaners) and all combustible materials (newspaper, cardboard boxes or rags).
- Furnaces and boilers will run longer during very cold weather, be aware that supply ductwork and registers may be hot to touch.
- Have your heating system checked by a professional service technician once a year to be sure it is performing properly and that it has sufficient air for proper combustion and to exhaust flue products.
Carbon monoxide safety
Check frequently for visible signs of carbon monoxide (CO) build-up in your home or building, such as high indoor humidity, and soot or water collecting near a burner or vent.
