Furnace vs Boiler in Ravalli County, Montana
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice. It ties into the ducts you have, and most homes in this region are already set up that way. A furnace heats air and pushes it through the house, and that same ductwork can carry cooling later if you ever add central air.
When a boiler makes sense
A boiler makes sense if your home already has radiators or in-floor pipes instead of ducts. It runs about 5% cheaper to operate here, which adds up over the 11 months a year this county needs heat. With nights averaging 16°F from December through February, the steady heat a boiler puts out through those pipes is worth considering if that is what your home is built around.
When a furnace makes sense
If your house already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice. It ties into the ducts you have, and most homes in this region are already set up that way. A furnace heats air and pushes it through the house, and that same ductwork can carry cooling later if you ever add central air.
When a boiler makes sense
A boiler makes sense if your home already has radiators or in-floor pipes instead of ducts. It runs about 5% cheaper to operate here, which adds up over the 11 months a year this county needs heat. With nights averaging 16°F from December through February, the steady heat a boiler puts out through those pipes is worth considering if that is what your home is built around.
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 Ravalli 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 worth choosing.
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 house already has ductwork, a furnace is the straightforward choice. It ties into the ducts you have, and most homes in this region are already set up that way. A furnace heats air and pushes it through the house, and that same ductwork can carry cooling later if you ever add central air.
When a boiler makes sense
A boiler makes sense if your home already has radiators or in-floor pipes instead of ducts. It runs about 5% cheaper to operate here, which adds up over the 11 months a year this county needs heat. With nights averaging 16°F from December through February, the steady heat a boiler puts out through those pipes is worth considering if that is what your home is built around.
A Ravalli County contractor will price both against your own house, your ductwork and your panel.
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