Furnace vs Boiler in Maricopa County, Arizona
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has ductwork, a furnace is the easier fit. It ties into the ducts you have, and it can also carry your central air conditioning through the same system. Winters here only average 41°F, and you're only heating for about five months, so a furnace doesn't have to work hard to keep up.
When a boiler makes sense
A boiler makes sense if your home is set up with radiators or in-floor pipes instead of ducts. It runs about 5% cheaper than a furnace at Arizona prices, and with winter nights averaging 41°F, that lower running cost is easier to notice over a short heating season. It won't move air for a cooling system, so you'd still need a separate way to cool the house.
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has ductwork, a furnace is the easier fit. It ties into the ducts you have, and it can also carry your central air conditioning through the same system. Winters here only average 41°F, and you're only heating for about five months, so a furnace doesn't have to work hard to keep up.
When a boiler makes sense
A boiler makes sense if your home is set up with radiators or in-floor pipes instead of ducts. It runs about 5% cheaper than a furnace at Arizona prices, and with winter nights averaging 41°F, that lower running cost is easier to notice over a short heating season. It won't move air for a cooling system, so you'd still need a separate way to cool the house.
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 Maricopa 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 is still the better choice.
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 41°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 easier fit. It ties into the ducts you have, and it can also carry your central air conditioning through the same system. Winters here only average 41°F, and you're only heating for about five months, so a furnace doesn't have to work hard to keep up.
When a boiler makes sense
A boiler makes sense if your home is set up with radiators or in-floor pipes instead of ducts. It runs about 5% cheaper than a furnace at Arizona prices, and with winter nights averaging 41°F, that lower running cost is easier to notice over a short heating season. It won't move air for a cooling system, so you'd still need a separate way to cool the house.
A Maricopa County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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