One of the most common questions I hear from homeowners is deceptively simple: “What type of furnace do I have?” Closely behind it are questions like “How to tell if furnace is gas or electric?”, “What does a gas furnace look like?”, and even “Do I have a furnace?”
If you’ve ever stood in front of your heating system, staring at a metal cabinet with wires, ducts, and labels, unsure what you’re actually looking at, you’re not alone. Identifying your furnace type is essential for maintenance, troubleshooting, energy efficiency decisions, and future upgrades.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to identify your furnace, explain furnace model numbers, compare gas and electric systems, and use the Goodman MBVK electric furnace as a clear example of what an electric furnace is—and what it is not.
Why Knowing What Type of Furnace You Have Matters
Understanding your furnace type impacts more than curiosity. It affects:
-
Safety considerations
-
Energy costs and efficiency
-
Maintenance requirements
-
Replacement and upgrade options
-
Troubleshooting accuracy
When homeowners ask “do I have a furnace?”, what they often mean is: What kind of heating system is this, and how does it work?
Let’s start by answering that question clearly.
Do I Have a Furnace or Something Else?
A furnace is a forced-air heating system that warms air and distributes it through ductwork using a blower. If your home has:
-
Supply vents in floors, walls, or ceilings
-
A central unit connected to ductwork
-
A thermostat that controls heat
Then yes—you almost certainly have a furnace.
If your home uses radiators, baseboard heaters, or in-floor heating, you may have a boiler or electric resistance system instead. But if air blows from vents when heat is on, you are dealing with a furnace.
What Type of Furnace Do I Have?
There are three primary furnace types in residential homes:
-
Gas furnaces
-
Electric furnaces
-
Oil furnaces
Today, we’ll focus on how to identify gas vs. electric, since oil furnaces are less common and easier to identify by smell, fuel tanks, and burners.
How to Tell If Furnace Is Gas or Electric
If you’re standing in front of your system asking “how to tell if furnace is gas or electric?”, here are the most reliable indicators.
1. Look for a Gas Line
A gas furnace will have a black iron or flexible gas line connected to it. If no gas line enters the cabinet, it is not a gas furnace.
The Goodman MBVK electric furnace has no gas line whatsoever. Instead, it relies entirely on electrical power and internal heat strips.
2. Check for a Vent or Flue Pipe
Gas furnaces produce combustion exhaust and must vent it outdoors. This usually appears as:
-
A metal flue pipe
-
Or a PVC vent for high-efficiency models
Electric furnaces like the MBVK do not require venting, because they produce no combustion gases. If there is no exhaust pipe leaving the unit, that is a strong sign you have an electric furnace.
3. Open the Access Panel (Safely)
With power off, remove the front panel and look inside.
-
Gas furnace: Burners, ignition components, flame sensor
-
Electric furnace: Heat strips, wiring, relays, and a blower motor
The MBVK electric furnace contains electric resistance heat strips, not burners or flames. This internal layout is one of the clearest indicators of furnace type. (Goodman Manufacturing)
What Does a Gas Furnace Look Like?
Many homeowners ask “what does a gas furnace look like?” because they want a visual reference to compare.
A typical gas furnace includes:
-
A burner assembly near the bottom
-
A gas valve with a visible gas line
-
An ignition system or pilot light
-
A flue or exhaust vent
-
A heat exchanger
If you don’t see these components, you are likely not dealing with a gas furnace.
In contrast, an electric furnace like the MBVK looks cleaner internally—more wiring, fewer mechanical combustion components, and no venting.
Electric Furnace Anatomy: Using the Goodman MBVK as an Example
Let’s break down what an electric furnace actually includes.
The Goodman MBVK electric furnace features:
-
Modular electric heat kits
-
A variable-speed ECM blower motor
-
Integrated control board
-
Multi-position installation capability
-
No burners, no pilot light, no flue
Because there is no combustion, electric furnaces eliminate concerns about carbon monoxide and fuel delivery. This simplicity is one of the main reasons homeowners choose electric systems. (Energy.gov)
Furnace Model Numbers: The Fastest Way to Identify Your System
If you want the most definitive answer to “what type of furnace do I have?”, look at the furnace model number.
Every furnace has a data plate—usually inside the cabinet or on the side panel. This plate lists:
-
Model number
-
Serial number
-
Voltage
-
Fuel type
For Goodman systems, model numbers are especially informative.
Understanding Goodman Furnace Model Numbers
The MBVK designation tells you several things immediately:
-
M – Modular
-
B – Blower-based system
-
V – Variable-speed motor
-
K – Electric heat compatibility
If your model number includes MBVK, you are looking at an electric furnace, not a gas unit.
Gas furnaces will have entirely different model number structures that reference burners, BTU ratings, and fuel type.
Why Homeowners Get Confused About Furnace Type
Many homeowners assume all furnaces are gas because:
-
Older homes often had gas furnaces
-
Electric furnaces don’t “look” like heaters
-
There’s no visible flame
-
Air handlers and furnaces look similar
In fact, the MBVK is often mistaken for an air handler because of its clean, modular design. But when electric heat strips are installed, it is functionally a full electric furnace.
Do I Have a Furnace or an Air Handler?
This is another common question.
Here’s the distinction:
-
Air handler: Moves air only
-
Electric furnace: Moves air and generates heat using electric elements
The MBVK can function as either, depending on whether electric heat strips are installed. Once heat kits are added, it becomes a true electric furnace capable of primary heating. (HVAC.com)
Gas vs. Electric Furnace: Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Gas Furnace | Electric Furnace (MBVK) |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel source | Natural gas or propane | Electricity |
| Flame | Yes | No |
| Venting required | Yes | No |
| Carbon monoxide risk | Yes | None |
| Internal components | Burners, heat exchanger | Heat strips, relays |
| Maintenance complexity | Higher | Lower |
Understanding these differences makes it much easier to answer “how to tell if furnace is gas or electric.” (Lennox)
When You Should Identify Your Furnace Type Immediately
There are several situations where knowing your furnace type is critical:
-
Scheduling maintenance or repairs
-
Ordering replacement parts
-
Troubleshooting heating issues
-
Planning system upgrades
-
Selling or buying a home
A technician will always ask for your furnace type and model number first. Having that information ready saves time and money.
The Goodman MBVK: A Modern Answer to Furnace Confusion
The Goodman MBVK electric furnace represents a modern shift toward simpler, safer heating systems. Without gas lines, burners, or flues, it eliminates many of the traditional identifiers homeowners rely on—leading to confusion, but also to cleaner operation.
Once you know what to look for, identification becomes straightforward:
-
No gas line
-
No exhaust vent
-
Electric heat strips
-
MBVK model number
That combination tells you exactly what type of furnace you have.
Final Thoughts: Answering “What Type of Furnace Do I Have?”
If you take nothing else from this guide, remember this:
-
If it burns fuel, it’s gas or oil
-
If it uses heat strips, it’s electric
-
If the model number says MBVK, it’s electric
-
If there’s no vent or gas line, it’s not gas
The Goodman MBVK electric furnace makes furnace identification easier once you understand its design. Whether you’re troubleshooting, upgrading, or simply trying to understand your home better, knowing your furnace type is the foundation of smart HVAC decisions.
If you’ve ever asked “do I have a furnace?” or “how to tell if furnace is gas or electric?”, you now have the tools to answer with confidence.
