Furnace vs Boiler in St. Clair County, Michigan
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has ductwork in place, a furnace is the straightforward choice. It uses that ductwork to heat the house, so nothing new has to be added to deliver the air. With winter nights here averaging 20°F for months at a stretch, that existing duct system paired with a furnace is a proven way to keep a Michigan home warm.
When a boiler makes sense
A boiler makes sense if your home heats through radiators or in-floor pipes rather than ducts. It runs about 5% cheaper than a furnace at Michigan gas prices, and with roughly eight months of heating a year here, that difference is worth something on your bill. If your home was never set up with ductwork, a boiler works with the heat distribution you already have instead of asking you to add one.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has ductwork in place, a furnace is the straightforward choice. It uses that ductwork to heat the house, so nothing new has to be added to deliver the air. With winter nights here averaging 20°F for months at a stretch, that existing duct system paired with a furnace is a proven way to keep a Michigan home warm.
When a boiler makes sense
A boiler makes sense if your home heats through radiators or in-floor pipes rather than ducts. It runs about 5% cheaper than a furnace at Michigan gas prices, and with roughly eight months of heating a year here, that difference is worth something on your bill. If your home was never set up with ductwork, a boiler works with the heat distribution you already have instead of asking you to add one.
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 St. Clair 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 20°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 in place, a furnace is the straightforward choice. It uses that ductwork to heat the house, so nothing new has to be added to deliver the air. With winter nights here averaging 20°F for months at a stretch, that existing duct system paired with a furnace is a proven way to keep a Michigan home warm.
When a boiler makes sense
A boiler makes sense if your home heats through radiators or in-floor pipes rather than ducts. It runs about 5% cheaper than a furnace at Michigan gas prices, and with roughly eight months of heating a year here, that difference is worth something on your bill. If your home was never set up with ductwork, a boiler works with the heat distribution you already have instead of asking you to add one.
A St. Clair County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
Tell us about the job
It takes about a minute.