Gas vs. Electric Furnaces: Which Is Best for Iowa Winters?
Iowa winters don’t play around. When the north wind cuts across Ankeny and the mercury dives in Des Moines, your heating system needs to deliver steady, reliable warmth, without wrecking your utility bill. If you’re weighing gas vs. electric furnace installation, here’s a clear, homeowner-friendly breakdown from the team at Obsidian Heating & Cooling to help you choose with confidence.
The short answer (so you can get on with your day)
For most Central Iowa homes, a high-efficiency natural gas furnace is the best all-around choice: lower operating costs in our climate, faster recovery on subzero days, and excellent whole-home comfort.
That said, electric can be the right fit if you don’t have gas service, you’re building an all-electric home, you’re pairing with a heat pump, or you have favorable electric rates/solar. The “right” answer depends on your house, your utility rates, your comfort goals, and how long you plan to stay.
How each one heats your home (and why it matters)
Gas furnace: Burns natural gas in a sealed combustion chamber, pushing high-temperature air (often 110–140°F supply air) through your ducts.
What you feel: Toasty supply air and quick temperature recovery after door opens, long showers, or a setback schedule.
Electric furnace: Uses electric resistance heating elements (think “giant toaster” with a blower).
What you feel: Steady, gentler warmth. Recovery from deep setbacks can be slower, especially in larger or drafty homes.
Bottom line: On the coldest days, gas typically delivers stronger, faster heat across bigger spaces. Electric can be perfectly comfortable in smaller, tight, well-insulated homes.
Cost to buy vs. cost to run
Upfront cost: Modern gas furnaces (especially high-efficiency condensing models) can cost more installed than basic electric resistance units.
Operating cost: In our region, natural gas is usually cheaper per unit of heat than straight electric resistance. Over several winters, that difference often outweighs the higher upfront cost of a gas furnace.
Pro tip: Your home’s insulation, air sealing, and duct condition can swing operating costs more than you think. We’ll evaluate those during your estimate so you’re not surprised later.
Efficiency ratings & what they actually mean
Gas furnaces: Rated by AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). Look for 95–98% AFUE to capture more heat from the exhaust and lower bills.
Electric furnaces: Resistance heat is effectively 100% efficient at the point of use, but because electricity often costs more per BTU than gas here, the bill can still be higher.
Performance in a cold snap
When it’s single digits with wind, recovery time matters. Gas furnaces excel at quickly lifting indoor temps after setbacks or heat loss. Electric can maintain comfort in efficient homes, but may work harder and longer to catch up in bigger or leakier houses.
Outage note: Both systems need electricity for controls and blowers. If outages are a concern, ask us about surge protection and generator compatibility.
Safety, maintenance & lifespan
Gas: Requires annual inspection for combustion safety, venting, and carbon monoxide risks; change filters; keep the condensate drain clear on condensing models.
Electric: Simpler maintenance—filters and blower checks; heating elements and relays can still wear over time.
Either way, yearly maintenance helps avoid surprise breakdowns and keeps warranties intact.
Environmental considerations
Gas furnaces emit carbon directly at the home.
Electric furnaces shift emissions to the power grid. If your electricity comes from cleaner sources—or you have solar—electric may reduce your footprint.
For many Iowa homeowners, the sweet spot is a dual-fuel (hybrid) setup: an efficient heat pump handles moderate days; a gas furnace takes over below a set temperature for maximum comfort and value.
When electric makes solid sense in Iowa
No natural gas service at the property
Smaller, well-insulated homes or new construction
Pairing with a high-efficiency heat pump (great shoulder-season efficiency, with electric heat as backup)
You have low electric rates or solar offsetting consumption
You prefer an all-electric home
When gas furnace installation is still the easy winner
Larger homes or older homes with more heat loss
You want fast, powerful recovery on subzero mornings
You already have safe, reliable gas service
You’re focused on lowest winter operating costs over time
The hybrid option: Dual-fuel = comfort + savings
A dual-fuel system pairs an electric heat pump with a gas furnace. The heat pump provides efficient heat on mild/cool days; the furnace takes over automatically when temps drop below your “balance point.” You get lower bills for most of the season and gas-furnace comfort during deep freezes. It’s one of our favorite solutions in the Des Moines metro.
The sizing secret: Comfort starts with the right load calc
Oversized furnaces short-cycle, create temperature swings, and wear out faster. Undersized units run constantly and still leave you chilly. We perform a Manual J load calculation, inspect your ductwork and static pressure, and make sure the equipment and airflow are a match for your home. That’s how we deliver quiet, even, efficient heat—not just a furnace in a box.
Rebates, credits & financing
Between utility rebates and federal incentives for high-efficiency equipment and heat pumps, many homeowners can reduce upfront cost. We’ll walk you through current options during your estimate and lay out clear, upfront pricing with financing available.
What’s right for your home?
Every home is different. If you’re in Ankeny, Des Moines, West Des Moines, Johnston, Urbandale, Altoona, Waukee, or nearby, we’ll compare gas, electric, and hybrid options side-by-side—total installed cost, expected operating cost, comfort, and noise—so you can make the call with confidence.
Ready for a warm, worry-free winter? Reach out today!
Get a free, no-pressure installation estimate (we’ll bring the options).
Or ask about a dual-fuel heat pump + furnace combo for the best of both worlds.
Obsidian Heating & Cooling — veteran-owned, local, and five-star service you can feel good about.
