Molly Ayala
Many people don't know whether their furnace is gas or electric, and that's okay! It can be challenging to determine, especially if you're new to these appliances. The easiest way to find out is to visually inspect the furnace while it's working. If you can't find it in your basement or attic, follow the ductwork to the end. A gas furnace will have a copper or steel gas line running from outside your home to the furnace, along with a shut-off valve (a red gear-like hub) and a gas meter or pipes. Electric furnaces, on the other hand, heat your home with electricity and have no visible flames or noise. They connect directly to your home's electrical system and use electric coils or heating elements to generate heat. Knowing your furnace type is essential for proper maintenance and troubleshooting, and reviewing your energy bills can also provide clues as to whether you have a gas or electric furnace.
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What You'll Learn
Warning signs your furnace needs checking
The typical lifespan of a furnace is around 12 to 15 years, after which it may need to be replaced. Here are some warning signs that your furnace needs checking or replacing:
Strange noises
If your furnace is making strange noises such as squeaking, banging, rattling, hissing, clicking, or popping, it may be a sign that something is out of place or that your heating system needs to be replaced. Older furnaces may also have trouble staying lit or on.
Longer heating time
If it is taking longer for your home to heat up, your furnace might be working harder than it should. This could indicate a larger problem with your heating system.
Increased energy bills
A sudden increase in your energy bills compared to the same time last year could be a sign that your furnace is becoming less efficient and may need repairing or replacing.
Pilot light colour
If your furnace has a pilot light, check that it is ignited and a clean, bright blue colour. If it looks yellow, it could indicate a carbon monoxide leak, which is highly poisonous and should be checked by a technician immediately.
Ice dam formation
An ice dam forming on your roof near the furnace exhaust vent could indicate heat leaking from ductwork in the attic. This could be dangerous as it may lead to carbon monoxide leaking into your home, causing flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and lightheadedness.
Dry air and static electricity
During winter, if you notice increased static electricity shocks, dry skin, nose, and throat, or your indoor plants drooping, it could be a sign that your furnace is not adequately humidifying your home.
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How to check if your furnace is working
If you're wondering whether your furnace is working, there are several things you can check. Firstly, if your furnace is not running, check that the thermostat is on. If it is a battery-powered thermostat, the issue could be as simple as replacing the batteries. If your thermostat controls both your furnace and central air conditioning, make sure it is set to 'heat'. Also, check that the temperature setting is higher than the room temperature, or the furnace won't be activated. If the temperature in your home doesn't match the thermostat setting, the thermostat may be poorly placed, for example, too close to an exterior door or another heat source.
If your furnace is running but not generating heat, the circuit breaker may have tripped, so check the breaker box. If your furnace is gas-powered, look for a steel pipe leading to the unit. If it is electric, there will be no pipes. If you're still unsure, look for a label on the furnace, which should tell you whether it is gas or electric.
Older furnaces may struggle to start and may need repairs or replacement parts. If your furnace won't stay lit or keeps going out, it may be time to invest in a new heating system. Warning signs that your furnace needs replacing include strange noises such as squeaking, banging, rattling, hissing, clicking, or popping. An ice dam forming on your roof near the furnace exhaust vent could indicate that heat is leaking from ductwork in the attic. If you or your family members are experiencing headaches, nausea, or lightheadedness, it could be due to carbon monoxide leaking from your heating system. In this case, open the windows, leave the house, and call an HVAC company to inspect your furnace.
Other signs that your furnace may need replacing include dry air in your home, which can cause static electricity shocks, and a worsening of allergy symptoms.
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How to identify if your furnace is gas or electric
It is essential to know whether your furnace is gas or electric for proper maintenance and safety. Here are some ways to identify whether your furnace runs on gas or electricity:
Firstly, check the fuel source. A gas furnace will be connected to a gas supply line, with gas pipes leading to the burner. You can usually find a gas meter or gas pipes near the furnace. On the other hand, an electric furnace does not require a gas supply and connects to your home's electrical system.
Secondly, you can identify a gas furnace by looking for a copper or steel gas line running from outside your home to the furnace. Most installers will pass the line through a basement wall, but some may also pass it through the first or upper floor. A gas furnace will also have a shut-off valve (a red gear-like hub) near the furnace. If you cannot see a gas line or shut-off valve, it is likely an electric furnace.
Thirdly, you can check your roof for a pipe with a rain cap on top. This indicates a gas-powered furnace. If there is no exhaust flue on your roof, it is likely an electric furnace.
Additionally, you can inspect the furnace unit itself. A gas furnace will have a burner assembly and a pilot light or electronic ignition system. Electric furnaces, on the other hand, have heating elements that look like large coils or electric wires.
Finally, you can refer to your thermostat and energy bills for clues. If your thermostat has settings like "Heat," "Cool," and "Off," it is likely a gas furnace. Electric heaters are often part of an HVAC system with a thermostat that only has "Heat" and "Cool" settings. Gas charges on your energy bill during the heating season indicate a gas furnace, while electricity charges show you have an electric one.
If you are still unsure, you can check the label on the furnace, which may specify whether it is gas or electric. If not, the label will provide the name and model, which you can use to look up the furnace details online.
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How to check if your furnace is gas or electric
To check if your furnace is gas or electric, you can start by locating the furnace unit. In many homes, the furnace is in the basement, but smaller spaces like apartments might store the heating system in a closet or nook. Some upstairs apartments might even have it in an attic. If you're not sure where it is, look around or follow the duct system. You're looking for a large unit with several metal ducts going into it.
Once you've located the furnace, you can try to identify it by sight. A gas furnace uses a flame to start the heating process, so if your HVAC unit is gas, you'll be able to see a small flame through a small window on the furnace. These windows are only on gas furnaces. You might also be able to hear a whooshing sound when the gas flame kicks in, or hear the furnace ignite when it turns on or the gas burner when it's idle.
On the other hand, electric furnaces have no window, no flame, and make no noise while idling. They heat the home with electricity, using electric coils or heating elements that look like large wires.
If you still can't identify the furnace type, you can try looking for the following:
- A gas line or shut-off valve: If you can see these, you have a gas furnace.
- An exhaust flue: This is a small, chimney-like structure on your roof. It's an exit vent for the exhaust gases produced by a gas furnace.
- Your thermostat: If it has settings like "Heat," "Cool," and "Off," it's likely a gas furnace. If it only has "Heat" and "Cool" settings, it's likely part of an electric HVAC system.
- Your energy bills: Gas charges during the heating season indicate a gas furnace, while electricity charges show you have an electric one.
- The fuel source: A gas furnace will be connected to a gas supply line, with a gas meter or gas pipes nearby. An electric furnace connects to your home's electrical system.
If you still can't determine the furnace type, you can try looking up the name and model of the furnace, which should be on a label. This will tell you whether it's gas or electric, and provide information on how to care for it. If all else fails, you can always call in experts to identify the furnace type for you.
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How to maintain your furnace
Maintaining your furnace is important to ensure it is working efficiently, to prolong its life, and to avoid safety issues. Here are some detailed instructions on how to maintain your furnace:
Firstly, it is important to keep the area around your furnace clear of dust, debris, and any chemicals such as paint or household cleaners. These can contain volatile compounds that your furnace can spread throughout your home, reducing air quality. Regularly sweep and vacuum the area to keep it clear.
You should also ensure that you have sufficient airflow around any outside units. Keep vegetation, such as bushes or tall grass, from growing on or around these units, as this will reduce their efficiency. As a rule of thumb, try to keep at least two feet of clearance from any outside obstructions.
Next, you should check for any strange noises coming from your furnace. Older furnaces may struggle to start, and strange sounds such as squeaking, banging, rattling, hissing, clicking, or popping can indicate that your heating system needs attention or replacement. A constant running blower fan is another furnace noise that should not be ignored.
You should also check for ice dams forming on your roof near the furnace exhaust vent, as this could indicate heat leaking from ductwork in the attic. Additionally, be aware of any symptoms of low-level carbon monoxide poisoning, such as headaches, nausea, lightheadedness, or flu-like symptoms, as this can indicate that your furnace is leaking dangerous gases.
Finally, you can clean the interior of your furnace by turning off the circuit breaker and gas supply, and accessing the blower motor and fan. You can use a shop vac and extension hose to clean these parts, but if you are unsure, you can always call a professional to inspect and clean your furnace during regular servicing.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest way to tell is to check its fuel source. A gas furnace will have a gas supply line, while an electric furnace connects to your home's electrical system.
No, the electric company does not know when your furnace is running.
You can check your energy bills to see how much electricity your furnace is using.
