Furnace vs Boiler in Madison County, Illinois
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice. Most homes in this region are set up this way, and the same ducts that heat your home through those 25°F nights can carry central air in summer. You are not paying to open up walls or run new lines, just to heat through what is already there.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home heats through radiators or in-floor pipes rather than ductwork, a boiler is the machine built for that system. It runs about 5% cheaper than a furnace here, and with 7 months of heating season that difference shows up on the bill every winter. It will not move air for central cooling, so it suits a house where that was never part of the plan.
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice. Most homes in this region are set up this way, and the same ducts that heat your home through those 25°F nights can carry central air in summer. You are not paying to open up walls or run new lines, just to heat through what is already there.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home heats through radiators or in-floor pipes rather than ductwork, a boiler is the machine built for that system. It runs about 5% cheaper than a furnace here, and with 7 months of heating season that difference shows up on the bill every winter. It will not move air for central cooling, so it suits a house where that was never part of the plan.
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 Madison County.
In the Great Lakes states, 78.8% 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 Great Lakes states that heat with one | 78.8% | 7.7% |
| Handles a 25°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. Most homes in this region are set up this way, and the same ducts that heat your home through those 25°F nights can carry central air in summer. You are not paying to open up walls or run new lines, just to heat through what is already there.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home heats through radiators or in-floor pipes rather than ductwork, a boiler is the machine built for that system. It runs about 5% cheaper than a furnace here, and with 7 months of heating season that difference shows up on the bill every winter. It will not move air for central cooling, so it suits a house where that was never part of the plan.
A Madison County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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