In shopping for a new furnace, don’t let the biggest question you may face rattle your brain.

Gas furnace or electric furnace?

The truth is, both devices have their advantages. The final decision really depends on your personal preference. Our Birmingham AL heating experts are more than willing to offer their advice if you need assistance with narrowing your decision.

In regards to energy efficiency, gas furnaces are your best bet. When discussing life span, go with an electric furnace, as some experts say they can last twice as long as gas furnaces. From a maintenance perspective, electric furnaces require less professional service than gas furnaces, which should be inspected annually.

Both gas and electric furnaces are relatively safe to operate. With electric furnaces, they’re about as safe as the average appliance. Gas furnaces have a low risk of the spread of carbon monoxide poisoning, but it shouldn’t be anything to scare you away from purchasing.

If money is your ultimate factor – and often times for consumers, it is – your answer is to go with the gas furnaces. Historically, electric furnaces are more expensive. If money isn’t going to make or break your decision, do your research with both furnaces. Both have their advantages, and you really can’t go wrong with either one. If you need further assistance, feel free to call our Birmingham heating company, or contact us online today.

The celebration of 2011 can kick off a couple of days early if you act quickly.

This week is the last week for consumers to potentially earn a tax credit for purchasing energy-efficient appliances. If you ever were considering purchasing a new heat pump, now just might be the time to do so.

Air source heat pumps are becoming more and more commonplace in residential and commercial properties. provide an environmentally conscious alternative to air conditioners and furnaces. Heat pumps, according to the Energy Star website, use electricity to move heat from a chilly space into a warm space. A heat pump, in turn, can make a cooler location chillier and a warm location even warmer.

According to the website, heat pumps, during the heating season, “move heat from the cool outdoors into your warm house; during the cooling season, heat pumps move heat from your cool house into the warm outdoors.”

All consumers looking to take advantage of the tax credit must do so before Friday, Dec. 31. The credit is expected to cover 30 percent of the cost of improvements, and taxpayers can receive a credit of up to $1,500 for all improvements that qualify under the stipulations. All information about the tax credit or heat pumps can be answered by our Birmingham AL heating experts. Call us today, or contact us online for more information.