Home electric furnaces

Electric furnaces are a thing of the past. What is still commonly called home electric furnaces are in fact air-source heat pumps, a modern type of electric heating and cooling.

Furnace manufacturers are not offering classical electric furnaces anymore.

Air source heat pumps

Unlike common furnaces, air-source heat pumps use electricity (like refrigerators and air conditioners) and can be used to both heat and cool a home.

Today's heat pumps are very efficient, namely the new two- and three-stage units, capable of operating at low speed most of the time (to get energy savings) and to switch to a superior stage for maximum comfort.

Air source heat pumps limitations

Modern home electric furnaces, that is, air-source heat pumps, have some limitations in colder climates. They lost part of their efficiency in freezing temperatures.

See: New Heat Pumps

Alternatives to electric furnaces

If you intend to replace your old electric furnace, consider the air-source heat pump alternative (in moderate climates) but also pellet furnaces, high-rated gas and oil furnaces, approaches like high levels of home insulation combined with zone heating and space heaters, or water and ground heat-pumps...