Furnace vs Boiler in Kitsap County, Washington
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace makes sense if your house already has ductwork in place, since that's the case for just over half the homes in this region. It also gives you central air down the road, since the same ducts carry cooled air in summer. With ten months of heating a year here, you want a system that's already matched to your house, not one that needs new distribution built in.
When a boiler makes sense
A boiler is worth a look if your home already has radiators or in-floor pipes instead of ducts, since that's the setup it needs. It runs about 5% cheaper than a furnace at Washington gas prices, which adds up over ten months of heating a year. Keep in mind it only heats, so you'd need a separate system for cooling if you want that later.
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace makes sense if your house already has ductwork in place, since that's the case for just over half the homes in this region. It also gives you central air down the road, since the same ducts carry cooled air in summer. With ten months of heating a year here, you want a system that's already matched to your house, not one that needs new distribution built in.
When a boiler makes sense
A boiler is worth a look if your home already has radiators or in-floor pipes instead of ducts, since that's the setup it needs. It runs about 5% cheaper than a furnace at Washington gas prices, which adds up over ten months of heating a year. Keep in mind it only heats, so you'd need a separate system for cooling if you want that later.
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 Kitsap County.
In the Pacific states, 56.9% 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 and no ductwork, a boiler is still the better fit.
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 Pacific states that heat with one | 56.9% | 1.6% |
| Handles a 35°F night | Yes | Yes |
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, NOAA
When a furnace makes sense
A furnace makes sense if your house already has ductwork in place, since that's the case for just over half the homes in this region. It also gives you central air down the road, since the same ducts carry cooled air in summer. With ten months of heating a year here, you want a system that's already matched to your house, not one that needs new distribution built in.
When a boiler makes sense
A boiler is worth a look if your home already has radiators or in-floor pipes instead of ducts, since that's the setup it needs. It runs about 5% cheaper than a furnace at Washington gas prices, which adds up over ten months of heating a year. Keep in mind it only heats, so you'd need a separate system for cooling if you want that later.
A Kitsap County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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