Furnace vs Boiler in Lake County, Illinois
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice. Most homes in this region are set up this way, and the same ducts can carry air for central air conditioning. That matters here, where heat is needed about 8 months of the year.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home heats through radiators or pipes in the floor rather than ducts, a boiler is the natural fit, since a furnace has no way to use that setup. Boilers also run about 5% cheaper to operate here at current gas prices, which adds up over 8 months of heating a year. Keep in mind a boiler only heats, so cooling would need a separate system.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice. Most homes in this region are set up this way, and the same ducts can carry air for central air conditioning. That matters here, where heat is needed about 8 months of the year.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home heats through radiators or pipes in the floor rather than ducts, a boiler is the natural fit, since a furnace has no way to use that setup. Boilers also run about 5% cheaper to operate here at current gas prices, which adds up over 8 months of heating a year. Keep in mind a boiler only heats, so cooling would need a separate system.
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 Lake 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 19°F night | Yes | Yes |
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, NOAA
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice. Most homes in this region are set up this way, and the same ducts can carry air for central air conditioning. That matters here, where heat is needed about 8 months of the year.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home heats through radiators or pipes in the floor rather than ducts, a boiler is the natural fit, since a furnace has no way to use that setup. Boilers also run about 5% cheaper to operate here at current gas prices, which adds up over 8 months of heating a year. Keep in mind a boiler only heats, so cooling would need a separate system.
A Lake County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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