Furnace vs Boiler in Aroostook County, Maine
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice. It also lets you add central air later, since the same ducts carry cooled air in summer. With ten months of heating and nights averaging 4°F, you want a system that can push a lot of heat fast, and a furnace does that well.
When a boiler makes sense
If your house heats through radiators or in-floor pipes, a boiler is the right fit, since it does not need ductwork at all. Heat from hot water tends to hold steadier through the cold, which matters when nights sit around 4°F for months at a time. It also runs about 5% cheaper here than a furnace, though it will not move air for central cooling.
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice. It also lets you add central air later, since the same ducts carry cooled air in summer. With ten months of heating and nights averaging 4°F, you want a system that can push a lot of heat fast, and a furnace does that well.
When a boiler makes sense
If your house heats through radiators or in-floor pipes, a boiler is the right fit, since it does not need ductwork at all. Heat from hot water tends to hold steadier through the cold, which matters when nights sit around 4°F for months at a time. It also runs about 5% cheaper here than a furnace, though it will not move air for central cooling.
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 Aroostook County.
In New England, 54.8% 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 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 New England that heat with one | 54.8% | 26.2% |
| Handles a 4°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. It also lets you add central air later, since the same ducts carry cooled air in summer. With ten months of heating and nights averaging 4°F, you want a system that can push a lot of heat fast, and a furnace does that well.
When a boiler makes sense
If your house heats through radiators or in-floor pipes, a boiler is the right fit, since it does not need ductwork at all. Heat from hot water tends to hold steadier through the cold, which matters when nights sit around 4°F for months at a time. It also runs about 5% cheaper here than a furnace, though it will not move air for central cooling.
A Aroostook County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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