Any one use an Electric Furnace?

Question

Anyone ever use an electric furnace? I saw one used on craigslist for 150$. It looks like a gas furnace but is electric. I am interested in this because it looks like I could set it up so that I can pull out of my rentals when they are empty.  Usually my low end rentals have the furnaces stolen all the time. Was wondering if they are as reliable as gas and if the electric cost would be a deal breaker?

Michael R. · Answer

Thanks for the replies. I actually got a cheap price on installing a gas unit so I am going that route. $500.00 for the unit and install. Unit is a used unit 4 years old. It is really cold here in the winter so I think the cost to run the unit plus lack of efficiency will be to many headaches for me.

Kevin C. · Answer

Don't confuse Heat Pumps with Electric heat.

Electric heat is just that, heating elements that get hot when high current passes through them, also known as resistive heat.

A straight up electric furnace, using resistive heat, is an expensive way to heat a home.

Cheryl C. · Answer

I think it depends on the climate.  Heat pumps are very common here in virginia.  I have gas, but many properties do not.  I have never had a theft of a furnace (or anything else) in 30 yrs, so I can't comment on your specific situation.  I'd guess 80% or more of my rentals are electric.

Rob Gillespie · Answer

Michael,
I thought an electric furnace would be a great way to save on gas bills, so I put one in my guest house. I was so wrong! Without a heat pump attached, I pay around 450 per month in electric bills, Plus I still have my normal gas bill for my main home! I hate to have company stay over any more because it is so expensive, LOL!!!

Kurt Heise · Answer

Michael, im sorry the copper theives keep attacking you, it gets expensive. I am in the HVAC feild and i see it quite often in Richmond as well. My best advice is for you is to talk to your contracter and have a unit gaurd installed. It is a very popular option and worth the the money. it has an alarm that sounds when the "disconnect" is pulled, which is a necessary step for them to steal the unit. also there are locking cages that mount around the condenser. I've seen good results for both in the past. I have only seen these options availible for the condenser though i have personally never known an air handler/furnace to be stolen.

Ed O. · Answer

Wow. They take the time to get your furnace? I have been hit by copper thieves 3 times in the last 3 years and they have never touched the furnaces. As with either a gas or electric, I'd think the cost of disconnecting and reconnecting would be higher than having a security system for a few months. It does take some time and a small amount of skill to take a furnace out quickly and without cutting yourself. 
I have a few electric furnaces in units that are all electric. It was a phase I went through, when I was having gas disconnection headaches with units. I'm NOT a fan of them for 2 reasons: cost of operation, and more importantly for me, a gas furnace puts out hotter air than an electric unit does. Put your hand by a vent on a gas and feel the heat, put your hand by the vent of an electric unit, and it barely feels warm. 
I would also say an electric unit is as or more reliable than gas, as there's fewer parts to break down on an electric unit. How many times have they stolen your furnaces? Are they getting the copper too?

Jon Holdman · Answer

They are essentially the same as a gas furnace.  They just have big electrical heating elements instead of burners.  They're usually much more expensive to operate than gas.  They take a lot of juice.  I have one in a small house in rural MO where the choice is either propane or electric (or wood or pellets).  IIRC is has two 50 amp 220V circuits feeding it.

But if you're seeing something you can easily set up and remove its probably just a small plug in unit.  Those are usually just 1500 watts.  Not enough to heat anything more than a room.  If its plugs into a 110 volt outlet, its just a space heater.  I've seen all sorts of gussied up space heaters being sold.  100 amps at 220 volts is more than 10 times the power of a 15 amp 110 volt circuit.  And mines in a small house.