Should you get a furnace or buy a space heater? This question is something you may have been thinking about for the longest time. You start to weigh the odds. Space heaters can be handy due to their tiny, compact size. Plus, their small size makes them affordable. A furnace, on the other hand, can heat multiple rooms simultaneously and can maintain a good temperature without a lot of problems. A space heater is designed for small rooms only. Before making your purchase, you need to understand the pros and cons of each. There’s a lot to think about when it comes to making the right choice for your Grand Junction, CO home.
Space Heater vs. Furnace: Comparing the Price
Considering whether or not a space heater is better than a furnace should first begin with a cost analysis. Price comparisons include differences in purchase price and electric use.
Prices for a space heater start as low as $25, and that’s for something that’s designated for your office, a single room, or a studio apartment. The upside is that this type of heater can be adjusted from low to high. The downside is that there are no other features, such as an automatic off switch, that keeps the unit from overheating. The odds of a longer life span for these brands are very slim. A more expensive model can provide a more consistent room temperature and an automatic shut-off feature that protects the unit from overheating.
Price ranges for a furnace are considerably more expensive and include several factors, such as the cost of the unit along with parts and labor. Some units start at $1,700 and can run up to over $9,000 for something that’s gas powered. The average cost range for an electric furnace runs from $1,600 up to $6,200. In both cases, the cost of the unit and installation are calculated together.
A quick glance at the initial costs for each may have you wanting to invest in a space heater. Ideally, space heaters appear to be the better choice because your costs won’t need to include installation, since all you have to do is plug in the unit and turn it on.
Electric Cost Comparisons
Differences in electric use are apparent between space heaters and furnaces. Annual utility costs for a space heater are around $864. Gas furnaces run around $1,800 a year while an electric one has an annual running cost of $2,628. On the surface, you may be paying far less for a space heater.
But don’t be fooled, because the one thing to consider is space. A space heater is designed to provide heat for a single room. If you had a space heater for two or more rooms, you may be paying more in utilities than you would if you used a furnace to heat an entire home. If you multiply $864 by 2, your annual costs could total up to $1,728 for two rooms.
Other Comparisons
Space heaters are not only easy to use, but they are also portable and are considered low maintenance. For the most part, all you have to do is keep the unit clean in order for it to run efficiently.
However, there are some problems. Issues with overheating mean that they can’t be left running for hours at a time. In fact, you shouldn’t have the space heater running without supervision. You may wish to pile on some blankets on those cold winter nights and turn your space heater off as soon as you go to sleep.
With a furnace, you’ll have more freedom to enjoy consistent warmth throughout an entire house. A gas furnace allows the heat to be distributed evenly from room to room and may be a safer alternative to a space heater. And with gas being cheaper, you could be saving more on annual utility costs. The only safety concern is a potential for high carbon monoxide output, which can be easily resolved with the use of a special detector.
Conclusion: The Bottom Line
When considering all the pros and cons, the bottom line is space and cost. Have more questions? Our team can work with you to ensure that you make the right decision for your Colorado home. We offer heating, cooling, and plumbing services. Call or visit Home Comfort Services in Grand Junction to learn more.
