Furnace vs Boiler in Arapahoe County, Colorado
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice. It ties into what's already there instead of asking you to add radiators or in-floor pipes. Most homes in this region are set up this way, which is why the furnace is the common choice here.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home heats through radiators or in-floor pipes rather than ducts, a boiler is the right fit, since it can't push air through vents that aren't there. Boilers here also run about 5% cheaper to operate than furnaces, which adds up over eight months of heating with nights averaging 16°F. It's a smaller share of homes in this region, but for a house built around radiant heat, it's the system that matches what's already there.
When a furnace makes sense
If your home already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice. It ties into what's already there instead of asking you to add radiators or in-floor pipes. Most homes in this region are set up this way, which is why the furnace is the common choice here.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home heats through radiators or in-floor pipes rather than ducts, a boiler is the right fit, since it can't push air through vents that aren't there. Boilers here also run about 5% cheaper to operate than furnaces, which adds up over eight months of heating with nights averaging 16°F. It's a smaller share of homes in this region, but for a house built around radiant heat, it's the system that matches what's already there.
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 Arapahoe County.
In the Mountain West, 69.6% 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 Mountain West that heat with one | 69.6% | 4.3% |
| Handles a 16°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. It ties into what's already there instead of asking you to add radiators or in-floor pipes. Most homes in this region are set up this way, which is why the furnace is the common choice here.
When a boiler makes sense
If your home heats through radiators or in-floor pipes rather than ducts, a boiler is the right fit, since it can't push air through vents that aren't there. Boilers here also run about 5% cheaper to operate than furnaces, which adds up over eight months of heating with nights averaging 16°F. It's a smaller share of homes in this region, but for a house built around radiant heat, it's the system that matches what's already there.
A Arapahoe County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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