Whether you’re in the process of building a brand new home or replacing your existing heating equipment, you might be curious about which type of fuel will best meet your needs. One of the most popular is gas. Knowing the pros and cons of this fuel choice will help you to determine whether it’s the right choice for your home or not. After all, installing gas room heaters when they aren’t really suited is just going to be a waste of money.

Pros

There are a number of pros associated with the purchase and installation of gas room heaters, including:

• Cost
  Did you know that natural gas is actually a much less expensive fuel than electricity? This makes such heaters more affordable to operate. In the long run, the savings that you will recoup from operation can actually make the system start to pay for itself.
   
• Performance
  These heaters are able to cope with heating large spaces quite quickly, especially when compared to electric models, which means that you don’t have to wait as long before your home is toasty and warm. This also means that you can set the thermostat lower.
   
• Eco Friendly
  Did you know that gas heating is kinder to the environment than using electricity? It actually generates around one-third of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that electric heating generates. This is the ideal choice if you want to do your bit for the environment.

Cons

There are also a number of cons associated with the purchase and installation of gas heaters, including:

• Installation
  Gas furnaces are quite large and complex, which requires a professional installation. They also require a chimney or flue to vent out emissions generated during the combustion process. If your home doesn’t already have a chimney or flue, one will need to be added during the installation.
   
• Cost
  The purchase and installation costs of these heaters is much higher than a comparable electric model. Those who are working with a tight budget might find that they simply cannot justify the cost of such models, but if you can swing it they’re definitely worth it.
   
• Lifespan
  With regular maintenance, you will find that gas furnaces typically last between 10 and 20 years. Although this is a fairly decent lifespan, it is shorter than that of electric models (which are known to last between 20 and 30 years with regular maintenance).
   
• Maintenance
  Annual maintenance is a must if you want to ensure that the furnace lasts as long as possible. Although you can handle certain smaller maintenance tasks yourself, annual maintenance checks should be performed by a professional to ensure that everything is in tiptop condition.
   
• Safety
  The biggest issue with these heaters is the potential for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be poisonous and even fatal with exposure to high enough levels. Gas leaks and even fires are other hazards that you need to be aware of, but maintenance can help to prevent them.

We hope that the above list of pros and cons have enabled you to determine whether gas room heaters are the right choice for your home or not. The bottom line is that gas is probably the better choice if you have a large home and/or live in a reasonably cold climate. Even so, it is important that you consider all of your fuel options before reaching a final decision to ensure that you’re not going to waste your hard earned money.