Best Electric Furnace Buying Guide & Reviews

What is an Electric Furnace?

An electric furnace is a type of heating system that uses electricity as its power source to generate heat. It comprises a large unit that is installed in a central location in a home or building and is connected to a system of ducts and vents that distribute the heated air throughout the space.

The furnace itself may include a heating element, a blower to circulate the air, and various controls and sensors to regulate the temperature and ensure safe operation.

Electric furnaces are known for their efficiency and reliability and are a popular choice for both residential and commercial heating needs.

Electric Furnace Parts

The main components of an electric furnace include

• Heating Element: This is the component that generates heat and is typically made of resistive wire that is heated when an electric current is passed through it.
• Blower: The blower is responsible for circulating the heated air throughout the building. It typically consists of a fan and a motor.
• Thermostat: This device controls the temperature in the building by regulating the flow of electricity to the heating element.
• Control Board: This component controls the operation of the electric furnace, and may include various sensors and switches to monitor and regulate the furnace’s functions.
• Ducts and Vents: These are used to distribute the heated air throughout the building.
• Air Filter: It is responsible for filtering the air that is circulated through the furnace.
• Limit Switch: A safety component that monitors the temperature inside the furnace and shut down the furnace if it becomes too hot.
• Relays and Contactors: These are responsible for turning the heating element and blower on and off as needed.

Note: The exact parts and configuration may vary depending on the specific model of the electric furnace.

Working on Electric Furnace

An electric furnace works by converting electricity into heat to warm a building. The process consists of the following steps:

• The thermostat senses the temperature in the building and sends a signal to the control board to start the heating process.
• The control board then sends an electrical current to the heating element, which generates heat through a process called resistance heating.
• The blower, powered by an electric motor, circulates the heated air throughout the building through a system of ducts and vents.
• The air filter removes any contaminants from the air before it is circulated.
• As the building warms up, the thermostat sends a signal to the control board to decrease the electrical current to the heating element.
• The limit switch monitors the temperature inside the furnace and will shut down the furnace if it becomes too hot.
• When the desired temperature is reached, the thermostat sends a signal to the control board to shut off the heating element and the blower, and the furnace will stop running until the thermostat signals it is necessary to start the process again.

Overall, an electric furnace converts the electrical energy into heat, which is then distributed throughout the building using a blower and a system of ducts, and controlled by a thermostat and control board to maintain the desired temperature.

Electric Furnace: The Best Heating Option?

Electric furnaces are a popular and efficient option for heating homes and buildings, but they may not always be the best choice depending on a variety of factors. Some advantages of electric furnaces include:

Pros:

• They are reliable and require little maintenance.
• They are easy to install and can be used in a variety of settings.
• They are highly efficient, as all the energy used is converted into heat.

Cons:

• Electric furnaces may be more expensive to operate than other types of heating systems, particularly if electricity rates are high in your area.
• They are not suitable for extremely cold climates.
• They are not suitable for large commercial buildings, as the energy consumption would be too high.
• Ultimately, the best heating option will depend on your specific needs and circumstances, such as the climate, the size of the building, and the cost of electricity in your area. It’s important to consult with a professional HVAC contractor to help determine the best option for your home or building.

Cost of Electric Furnace & Factors That Affect

The cost of the electric furnace depends on its quality and the quality is determined by specific factors. Let’s have a look at the factor that you must consider:

• Electric Furnace Quality: Electric furnace quality depends on various factors that include efficiency, brand reputation, materials used, features, serviceability, and performance. These must be checked and made along with your requirements.
• Electric Furnace Performance: Electric furnace performance can be determined by looking at its efficiency rating, noise level, temperature flow, and control.
• Sizing an Electric Furnace for Your Home: Now, coming to the size of the electric furnace, it solely depends on where you live. Whether you’re living in a villa or a little apartment. As it will be according to the size of your living space.

Best Electric Furnace

• BTU and KW: BTU, or British thermal unit, and KW or Kilowatt, are the two different units to measure the heat capacity of the electric furnace for a set time, i.e. for an hour or minute. A higher BTU/KW range means the electric furnace will work faster with better heating capacity. Most electric furnace models have a BTU range of 15000 BTU to 60000 BTU or 5KW to 29 KW. In some models, the heating capacity is denoted by the unit KW or kilowatt. As per mathematical calculation, 1 KW = 3142 BTU. The general rule states that for proper heading in a moderate climate, each square foot of your room will need 25 to 45 BTU. Hence, a room with a higher area will require a heating furnace with a higher BTU or KW rating. Here is how to choose the furnace size depending on the room size-

• Range: Besides the BTU rating, you also need to check out the range of the electric furnace model. If the range is smaller than your room size, the heating will not be optimal. On the contrary, a furnace with a higher range will heat the room faster and get shut-off frequently.
• Energy Rating or SEER: SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating refers to the energy the furnace can save during the working season. A higher SEER rating means the furnace can heat your room using less energy and will not consume much energy in the long term. It’s better to go for models with a SEER rating of more than 16. Most models come with a rating range of 17-20. But some advanced models can have higher ratings of 21-23!
• HSPF: HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, is the heating efficiency of the electric furnace models. A higher rating denotes the better capacity of the machine to offer optimal heating faster, even when the temperature is below the freezing level. The ideal rating range should be 8-10 HSPF. Besides these key factors, you also need to check out other factors like the features of the furnace, its size and dimensions alongside the warranty period etc to get the best model under your budget. This article offers you detailed information on some of the best electric furnace models, including the top models, their features and other details to help you make effective decisions. You can also check out the “Buying Guide” and FAQ section to get other information as well.

Here are some suggestions of Best electric furnace products:

Best Electric Furnace List

electric furnace	Size (BTU)	Power	Buy Now
Garrison Electric Furnace	68240	20 KW	Check On Amazon
Garrison 51 Electric Furnace	51180	15 KW	Check On Amazon
Goodman Electric Furnace	34120	10 KW	Check On Amazon

Best Electric Furnace Reviews

1. Garrison Electric Furnace

Garrison has been a trusted name in American and Canadian households for their wide range of electric furnaces and space heaters. Their MBR 1200AA1HKR20C has been one of the top-selling models since its launch. The impressive size of 68240 BTU and 20KW power will give you the needed warmth even during chilly days with heavy snow.

On top of that, it has a certified energy star rating and will cut down your electricity bills for the long term. The best part? It comes factory Assembled and tested for assured service.

On top of that, the brand also offers great warranty features for its buyers. Each machine has a ten-year warranty period applicable to the whole machine, including all its parts. You can connect to Garrison Company’s dedicated telephone hotline for assistance after purchase.

Features:

• It has control circuit staging and ETL listing for a better energy-saving network.
• The whole model is made with a rust-proof heating element to prevent rust.
• The machine has a wiring furnace so that you can install it with air handlers without difficulty.
• Dimension: 17.5 inch(W) X 21 inch(D) X26 inch(H)
• The whole machine has a warranty of ten years.

Pros:

• A completely assembled electric furnace with pre-installed heating coils makes installation
• Great warranty period
• Excellent service with faster heating

Cons:

• You may need the help of a trained HVAC expert if you do not have enough knowledge about the wiring or the electrical components.
• Without copper wires, it may not work properly.
• Some users complained that they got a heater with the wrong pre-wiring work done.
• It will only work if your home has 200 amp services.

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2. Garrison 51 Electric Furnace

The second model in the list is the MBR1200AA1HK Electric Furnace from Garrison. It is one of the most energy-efficient models from Garrison that guarantees faster cooling. Since it comes with a 15KW power capacity and 51180 BTU rating, you will always be satisfied with the heating.

The machine is made with alloy steel to prevent rust or other damage. This model has different flow directions to ensure the room gets heated uniformly, and you can also adjust the airflow at your convenience.

It is one of the few machines that work as a cooler besides working as an electric furnace. The cooling fan is separated from the heating parts, and you can easily enjoy some cool breeze during the scorching summer. On top of that, Garrison also offers ten years of warranty features with round-the-clock assistance.

Features:

• The forced air furnace has a multi-speed PSC blower motor that offers airflow in different directions like down flow, up the flow and Horizontal flow.
• It can also cool the air if needed.
• It also comes with a fan for the cooling mode, which is isolated from the heating coils.
• The foil-faced insulation is placed with glue to reduce noise while the machine works.
• Since it runs on electricity, you do not need to worry about refueling it from time to time.
• Dimension: 17.5 x 17.5 x 26 inches
• Weight: 62 pounds
• Ten years of warranty. You can contact the Garrison service executives with their official phone numbers to get help.

Pros:

• Less noise while cooling or heating
• Cooling and heating in one machine
• Multi-directional airflow
• Energy efficient
• Round-the-clock service helpline

Cons:

• The machine requires professional installation
• Some complained about receiving a broken machine

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3. Goodman Electric Furnace

The third electric furnace model is from Goodman. The brand has been one of the top HVAC systems providers in the US since 1975. With their pocket-friendly model ranges, you will always be spoilt for choice. The model we are recommending comes with a size of 34120 BTU and 10KW power.

Hence, if you have a small home, you can install it without much hassle. It has a rust-resistant nickel chromium-made smart heating strip for faster and effortless cooling. On top of that, the heating coils are separately tested and ensured to ensure temperature control remains active to its finest level.

Since the machine comes with most of the pre-installation work done, you can easily install it even by yourself. On top of that, Goldman offers a ten-year warranty for the machine parts.

Features:

• The model has a ten-year warranty (for selected parts) from the company.
• The machine has rust proof body with compact wiring
• It has an Energy Star rating from renowned brands
• Factory-installed circuit breakers and branch circuit system
• Dimension:‎21 x 17.5 x 26 inches
• Weight:79 pounds

Pros:

• Fuse-linked secondary temperature control
• Ten years warranty
• Good after-sales service
• Works great
• Makes less sound
• An easy-to-install model with a plug-in wiring harness connected to the air handler
• Rust-proof nickel chromium heating coil

Cons:

• The installation kit that comes with the model is incomplete. You may need to buy some parts separately.
• The installation instructions are not clear to many people.

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Buying Guide For Electric Furnace

Here we have prepared a buying guide for you to make it easy to purchase it. You must consider these factors before making the right decision.

1. Size

The best size of electric furnace for your home or building will depend on several factors, like size of the space to be heated, the insulation of the building, and the local climate. A furnace that is too small will have to work harder to warm the space, while a furnace that is too large will waste energy.

To determine the best size of electric furnace for your space, you should consult with a professional HVAC contractor. They will take into account the factors mentioned above, and will also perform a load calculation to determine the heating requirements of your home or building.

2. Power

The best power for an electric furnace will depend on several factors, such as the size of the space to be heated, the insulation of the building, and the local climate. Generally, the power output of an electric furnace is measured in kilowatts (kW).

To determine the best power output for your electric furnace, you should consult with a professional HVAC contractor.

A load calculation takes into account the square footage of the space, the number and type of windows, the R-value of the insulation, and other factors that can impact the heating needs of your home or building.

3. Energy Efficiency

The energy efficiency of an electric furnace is typically measured by its AFUE rating (its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ). The AFUE rating is a measure of how much of the energy used by the furnace is converted into heat, as opposed to being lost as exhaust or waste. The higher the rating, the higher the furnace efficiency.

The AFUE rating can range from 95% to 100% for electric furnaces. A furnace with an AFUE rating of 95% means that 95% of the energy used by the furnace is converted into heat, while 5% is lost as exhaust or waste.

According to the US Energy Department, the minimum AFUE rating for electric furnaces is 95%. However, many newer models have an AFUE rating of 98% or higher.

4. Heating Zone

When buying an electric furnace, it’s essential to think about the heating zone in which it will be used. Heating zones are defined by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and are based on the average outdoor temperature for a given area. They are used to determine the minimum efficiency requirements for heating equipment.

5. Climate

When considering climate while buying an electric furnace, it is important to take into account the average temperature range and the severity of cold weather in the area where the furnace will be installed. This will determine the size and efficiency rating of the furnace that is required.

Electric Furnace FAQS

Conclusion

An electric furnace for your home or even a mobile home can be an excellent investment with a warm and comfortable winter season for you and your family. You can consider all the recommended models here and choose anyone you like.

• If you want to buy a machine for a large room, get the Garrison Electric Furnace.
• For those looking for a machine that cools and heats with the same efficiency, the MBR1200AA1HK Electric furnace from Garrison is an ideal choice because it has a multi-flow heating and cooling system. An Garrison 51 Electric Furnace or Goodman Electric Furnace will be enough for families with medium to smaller rooms. You can get the Goodman 10KW electric furnace with a smaller room.

Please remember that it is always better to search a little and learn more about the ratings and reviews related to the particular model to make the proper choice.