Furnace vs Boiler in Coconino County, Arizona
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice, and it's what most homes in this region run. Those same ducts can carry cooled air in summer, so you're not adding a second system later just to get air conditioning. With about 8 months of heating a year here, that matters.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home already heats through radiators or in-floor pipes, staying with a boiler makes sense, since switching means adding ductwork throughout the house. Boiler heat also runs about 5% cheaper here, which adds up over 8 months of cold nights. Keep in mind a boiler only heats, so you would need a separate way to cool the house in summer, same as with a furnace.
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice, and it's what most homes in this region run. Those same ducts can carry cooled air in summer, so you're not adding a second system later just to get air conditioning. With about 8 months of heating a year here, that matters.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home already heats through radiators or in-floor pipes, staying with a boiler makes sense, since switching means adding ductwork throughout the house. Boiler heat also runs about 5% cheaper here, which adds up over 8 months of cold nights. Keep in mind a boiler only heats, so you would need a separate way to cool the house in summer, same as with a furnace.
Furnace
- Runs on
- Natural gas
- What it does
- Heats only
- Tax credit
- No federal tax credit since the end of 2025
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy · Internal Revenue Code
Boiler
- Runs on
- Natural gas
- What it does
- Heats only
- Tax credit
- No federal tax credit since the end of 2025
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy · Internal Revenue Code
Furnace wins in Coconino County.
In the Mountain West, 69.6% of homes heat with a furnace, so most already have the ductwork it needs.
If your home already has radiators or in-floor pipes instead of ductwork, a boiler still makes more sense than adding ducts for a furnace.
Find a contractor| Compared on | Furnace | Boiler |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to run here | Costs more to run | About 5% less to run |
| What it does | Heats only | Heats only |
| Homes in the Mountain West that heat with one | 69.6% | 4.3% |
| Handles a 23°F night | Yes | Yes |
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, NOAA
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice, and it's what most homes in this region run. Those same ducts can carry cooled air in summer, so you're not adding a second system later just to get air conditioning. With about 8 months of heating a year here, that matters.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home already heats through radiators or in-floor pipes, staying with a boiler makes sense, since switching means adding ductwork throughout the house. Boiler heat also runs about 5% cheaper here, which adds up over 8 months of cold nights. Keep in mind a boiler only heats, so you would need a separate way to cool the house in summer, same as with a furnace.
A Coconino County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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