Furnace vs Boiler in Washington County, Vermont
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has ductwork, a furnace is the simpler path since that ductwork is doing the work already. It also runs central air off the same ducts, which matters once summer comes around. With nine months of heating and nights averaging 10°F, you want equipment that can push hard without a second thought, and a gas furnace does that.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home heats through radiators or in-floor pipes and has no ductwork, a boiler uses what is already there instead of asking you to add ducts. It runs about 5% cheaper here than a furnace, which adds up over nine months of heating. That heat also tends to feel steadier through a cold night, which counts for something when it's 10°F outside.
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has ductwork, a furnace is the simpler path since that ductwork is doing the work already. It also runs central air off the same ducts, which matters once summer comes around. With nine months of heating and nights averaging 10°F, you want equipment that can push hard without a second thought, and a gas furnace does that.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home heats through radiators or in-floor pipes and has no ductwork, a boiler uses what is already there instead of asking you to add ducts. It runs about 5% cheaper here than a furnace, which adds up over nine months of heating. That heat also tends to feel steadier through a cold night, which counts for something when it's 10°F outside.
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 Washington County.
In New England, 54.8% of homes heat with a furnace, so just over half already have the ductwork it needs.
If your home already has radiators or in-floor pipes instead of ductwork, the 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 New England that heat with one | 54.8% | 26.2% |
| Handles a 10°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 simpler path since that ductwork is doing the work already. It also runs central air off the same ducts, which matters once summer comes around. With nine months of heating and nights averaging 10°F, you want equipment that can push hard without a second thought, and a gas furnace does that.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home heats through radiators or in-floor pipes and has no ductwork, a boiler uses what is already there instead of asking you to add ducts. It runs about 5% cheaper here than a furnace, which adds up over nine months of heating. That heat also tends to feel steadier through a cold night, which counts for something when it's 10°F outside.
A Washington County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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