How Many Watts Does A Furnace Use, Based On Different Furnaces?

TL;DR Electric furnaces use 10,000–50,000 watts (around 20,000W in most homes). But cycle on and off, so real use is lower. Gas furnaces use only 300–1,200 watts since electricity only runs the blower and controls, not the heat.

How Many Watts Does an Electric Furnace Use?

Electric furnaces usually use between 10,000 and 50,000 watts of electricity. Most standard homes have furnaces that run around 18,000 to 20,000 watts.

However, the watts usage isn’t a fit answer. Typical gas furnace wattage depends on 4 things:

1. Furnace Size
2. BTU Rating
3. Home Size
4. Energy Efficiency

We have seen while working on The Chill Brothers that most residential systems also run on a 220 volt circuit breaker and pull around 60 to 80 amps while heating. Still, an electric furnace does not run at full power all day. 

It cycles on and off to maintain the temperature inside your home. In most cases, the system turns on about 2 to 3 times per hour and runs for about 15 to 20 minutes each time. Because of this, the real energy use is usually lower than the furnace’s maximum wattage.

For example, a 20,000 watt electric furnace normally uses closer to 13,000 watts per hour in real use. Here is how the wattage works out:

Electric Furnace Wattage	Actual Energy Use	Time	Electricity Used
20,000 W	13,000 W	1 hour	13 kWh
20,000 W	13,000 W	1 day	26 kWh
20,000 W	13,000 W	1 week	182 kWh
20,000 W	13,000 W	1 month	789 kWh
20,000 W	13,000 W	1 year	3,163 kWh

Wattage Usage Of Different Electric Furnaces

Now the watt use also depends on the furnace you are using, as in:

Type of Electric Furnace	Typical Wattage Usage	Common Home Size
Small Electric Furnace	10,000–15,000 watts	Apartments, small homes
Medium Electric Furnace	15,000–20,000 watts	Standard residential homes
Large Electric Furnace	20,000–30,000 watts	Large homes, colder climates
High Capacity Electric Furnace	30,000–50,000 watts	Very large homes or commercial spaces
Single Stage Electric Furnace	10,000–20,000 watts	Homes with basic heating needs
Two Stage Electric Furnace	15,000–25,000 watts	Homes need better temperature control
Variable Speed Electric Furnace	10,000–25,000 watts	Energy-efficient modern homes
Mobile Home Electric Furnace	10,000–18,000 watts	Manufactured or mobile homes
High Efficiency Electric Furnace	12,000–20,000 watts	Energy conscious households
Backup Electric Furnace (Aux Heat)	5,000–15,000 watts	Heat pump support systems

Note:

Basically, the watt usage depends on your home size, just like furnace size varies based on your home size. So, don’t take this table as a benchmark, calculate some things.

How Many Watts Does a Gas Furnace Use?

The wattage of a gas furnace is usually between 300 and 1,200 watts while running. Even though it heats your home with natural gas, it still needs electricity to power important parts of the system.

The biggest electrical load comes from the blower motor. This pushes warm air through the ductwork. Most blower motors use around 370 to 750 watts during operation. Other parts, such as the ignition system, draft inducer fan, and control board, use much less power.

A gas furnace runs at about 400 to 800 watts on average in small homes. 

But if you use high efficiency models with variable speed ECM blowers, you can use even less electricity. Some modern systems may drop close to 120 watts once they reach steady operation. Older furnaces with PSC motors usually consume more power.

Gas furnaces also have a short startup surge when the blower first turns on. 

That is why many homeowners use a 3,000 to 5,000 watt generator during power outages to handle the extra starting load. For example, if your furnace runs at 800 watts for 3 hours, it will use about 2.4 kWh of electricity per day.

So, mainly gas furnace wattage draw depends on their Component using as:

Gas Furnace Component	Typical Wattage Usage
Blower Motor	370–750 watts
Draft Inducer Fan	50–200 watts
Ignition System	100–400 watts (startup only)
Control Board & Thermostat	10–50 watts
High Efficiency ECM Blower	80–120 watts
Older PSC Blower Motor	400–800 watts

If you want to lower electricity use, a high efficiency furnace with a variable speed blower can make a noticeable difference over time. And if it is using 2X the average rating, it’s time to replace the furnace.

Does My Oil Furnace Use Electricity?

Yes, an oil furnace does use electricity. Even though it burns oil to generate heat, it still needs power for components such as the blower fan, oil pump, ignition system, and control board. Without electricity, the furnace cannot circulate warm air or start the burner.

During a power outage, an oil furnace will not work unless you have a backup power source, such as a generator.

How Many Watts Does An Oil Furnace Use?

An oil furnace usually uses around 800 to 1,200 watts of electricity during operation. Even though heat comes from burning oil, electricity is still needed to run parts like the blower motor (300–600 watts), oil pump, and burner motor. At startup, it can briefly pull more power, often around 1,600 to 2,500 watts.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Furnace?

Electric furnaces can get you a higher electricity bill in winter. The monthly cost usually falls between $160 and $315. But, yes, it depends on furnace size, electricity rates, and how often the system runs.

That adds up to around $1,900 to $3,800 per year.

A standard electric furnace may use around 20 kWh per day during regular winter use. If your electricity rate is $0.20 per kWh, that comes out to about:

• $4 per day
• $120 per month
• $350+ for a winter season

However, your actual bill can still vary a lot based on:

• Local Electricity Prices
• Insulation Quality
• Home Size
• Energy Efficient System
• Thermostat Settings
• Outdoor Temperatures

So, don’t feel dizzy just by watching the cost.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Gas Furnace?

Running a gas furnace usually costs less than an electric one. On average, homeowners spend about $400 to $700 per year on natural gas for heating. The exact cost depends on your home size, climate, and furnace efficiency.

But during the coldest months, such as December through February, monthly heating bills are usually higher. So, in that time, you need to pay around $150 to $300 per month.

It means that if your gas furnace runs for about 6 hours per day in winter, you need to pay $144 per month for fuel alone.

Even though gas does most of the heating, the furnace still uses a small amount of electricity. The blower motor and control system typically add about $15 to $27 per month to your electricity bill.

So, if you are taking a step back from installing a furnace because of bills, then just get gas once. They are cheap, & It only took 4 hours to install a furnace to keep you comfortable all winter.

Monthly And Yearly Costs To Run A Furnace By State

You can do all the calculations for the furnace installation cost, bills, and everything. But you can never get it right. That’s because it varies depending on your state utility price range. Here is a glance at what you might need to pay for:

State	Electric Furnace Monthly	Electric Furnace Yearly	Gas Furnace Monthly (Winter Avg.)	Gas Furnace Yearly (Fuel Only)
California	$160 – $315	$1,900 – $3,800	$150 – $300	$400 – $700
Texas	$90 – $200	$1,100 – $2,400	$120 – $250	$400 – $650
Florida	$85 – $190	$1,000 – $2,200	$100 – $220	$350 – $600
New York	$140 – $290	$1,700 – $3,500	$150 – $300	$500 – $750
Pennsylvania	$110 – $240	$1,300 – $2,900	$140 – $280	$450 – $700
Illinois	$130 – $280	$1,600 – $3,300	$140 – $290	$450 – $720
Ohio	$120 – $260	$1,400 – $3,000	$130 – $270	$420 – $680
Michigan	$125 – $270	$1,500 – $3,200	$140 – $290	$450 – $730
Georgia	$95 – $210	$1,100 – $2,500	$110 – $240	$380 – $620
Washington	$100 – $220	$1,200 – $2,600	$130 – $260	$420 – $680

How to Reduce Furnace Electricity Usage?

If your utility bills are getting out of hand, you need to reduce the furnace’s electricity use. No, I do not mean you had to freeze to death in winter, you just had to cut electricity use smartly. Here is how:

Step 1: Upgrade to an ECM Motor

An ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor) is a modern blower motor that uses electricity more efficiently than older types. It adjusts based on how much heating your home actually needs. This means it does not waste energy when full airflow is not required.

It saves up on electricity usage cause older PSC motors often run at full speed even when it is not needed. 

That leads to higher electricity use over long heating cycles. An ECM motor reduces that waste by slowing down when conditions are stable and speeding up only when necessary. Over time, this helps reduce the electricity your furnace uses, especially during long winter hours.

Step 2: Change or Clean the Air Filter Regularly

A dirty air filter blocks airflow inside your furnace. When air cannot move freely, the blower motor has to work harder to push warm air through your home.

This increases electricity use and also puts stress on the system.

When the filter is clean, air moves easily through the furnace. The system heats your home faster and runs for less time.

Step 3: Seal Air Leaks in Ducts

Duct leaks waste warm air before it reaches your rooms. This forces the furnace to run longer cycles to reach the temperature set on your thermostat. The longer the system runs, the more electricity the blower motor uses.

So, sealing ducts helps keep heated air inside the system and delivers it to each room properly.

This means your furnace does not have to work as long or as hard. Over time, this reduces both runtime and electricity use.

Step 4: Improve Home Insulation

Insulation controls how fast heat escapes from your home. If your home loses heat quickly, the furnace will turn on more often to replace it. Each cycle uses electricity, especially for the blower motor.

So, good insulation keeps heat inside for longer periods. 

This reduces how often your furnace needs to run. Areas like the attic, walls, and doors play a big role in heat loss. When these areas are well insulated, your furnace works less and uses less electricity overall.

Step 5: Adjust Thermostat Settings Smartly

A good thermostat can save 10% to 23% on furnace electric use. Cause your thermostat decides when the furnace turns on and off. Even small changes in temperature settings can affect how often the system runs.

If the temperature is set too high all the time, the furnace will cycle more often and use more electricity. Lowering the temperature slightly when you are asleep or away from home reduces unnecessary heating cycles.

That’s why a programmable thermostat helps manage this automatically. So, the system only runs when needed. This reduces overall furnace runtime and lowers electricity use over time.

This way, you will stay warm and won’t have to pay bills. So, install a smart thermostat from Chill Brothers and save up. If you are on a tight budget, then you can use our financing options and get it done. It’s better to use an offer than stay in discomfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 5000 watt generator run a furnace?

Yes, a 5000 watt generator can run most gas furnaces. Gas furnaces usually need around 300 to 1,200 watts, so a 5000 watt unit has enough power. It can also handle the blower motor’s starting surge. However, it is usually not enough for a full electric furnace.

How many watts does a 60,000 BTU furnace use?

A 60,000 BTU furnace usually falls in the mid size range. If it is an electric furnace, it typically uses around 15,000 to 25,000 watts, depending on efficiency and design. If it is a gas furnace, it usually uses only 400 to 800 watts of electricity for the blower and controls.

Can a 2000 watt generator run a furnace?

A 2000 watt generator can run some gas furnaces, especially smaller or high efficiency models. It may struggle with the startup surge in older systems. It cannot run an electric furnace, since electric units need much more power.

Will a 10,000 watt generator run an electric furnace?

A 10,000 watt generator may run a small electric furnace, but it depends on the furnace size. Many electric furnaces use 10,000 to 50,000 watts, so larger systems will exceed this limit. It is usually more suitable for smaller or partial heating setups rather than full home electric heating.

What will a 5000 watt generator run in a house?

A 5000 watt generator can power several basic home appliances. It can usually handle lights, a refrigerator, fans, a TV, and a gas furnace blower at the same time. It is not designed for high load systems like central electric furnaces, electric water heaters, or central air conditioning units.

Wrap up

The furnace is a very important device in winter. It will make sure your home doesn’t feel like icebucks. So, you can relax in your home even though the outside is freezing. If you use it smartly, it can save you money on bills and help keep you from getting a cold.

So, what are you waiting for? Get a furnace installation service and be warm even in freezing cold.