When it comes to furnaces, there are four different types that consist of duel fuel, oil, electric and gas. However, the furnaces recognized by EnergyStar® as the most efficient types are gas. Using fresh air from the outside, modern gas furnaces can achieve as much as 98% fuel efficiency. Though there are several types of furnaces, today, we at Absolute A/C & Plumbing would like to further discuss the basic parts of a gas furnace.
Common Furnace Parts
Depending on the type, the gas furnace can be a single-stage, two-stage, or modulating furnace. To deliver clean, warm air to the rooms in your home, there are many mechanisms and parts that work together. Below are the basic components of a gas furnace to help you better understand the mechanics of how the unit works.
1) Air Filter: Before the air enters the blower motor, the air filter catches dust, debris and particles in the air.
2) Blower Motor: For air distribution throughout your home, the blower motor pushes the air past the heat exchanger into the supply plenum.
3) Burners: When the fuel is sent to the burners, they are ignited by the hot surface ignitor to produce a consistent, controllable flame, which is when the heat to the heat exchanger.
4) Heat Exchanger: Combustion gasses enters the heat exchanger and the combustion gasses are cooled and vented into a pipe after the heat from the gasses is absorbed into the walls.
5) Hot Surface Igniter: An electrical current is sent to the igniter in order to light the burner following the thermostat has signaled it to turn on.
6) Furnace Flue: The flue channels the unwanted exhaust, which contains carbon monoxide, to the outside.
7) Return Ducts: Return ducts retrieves cooled air from home and returns the air to be reheated by the furnace.
8) Supply Plenum: The supply is a duct that is attached to the furnace which distributes heated air throughout your home.
9) Thermostat: The thermostat is designed to measure the temperature inside your house and will signal the ignitor when to turn on.
Furnace Maintenance Tips
No matter how efficient the furnace is, however, the furnace will need to be maintained in order to preserve its performance, longevity, and overall efficiency. Below are a few basic maintenance tips that we would like to include.
1) Schedule a professional tune-up at least once a year, optimally at the end of summer, early fall. They clean your pilot light, inspect the ventilation system, test your heat exchanger for cracks, clean, and more.
2) Replace the furnace filter at least once every 90 days.
3) Periodic check the furnace flame color about every month. Furnace flame should be blue with perhaps a small yellow, if it becomes red, orange, or green, this indicates a serious problem that requires a professional.
Furnace & Boiler Heating Inspections, Repairs, Maintenance, Replacement & More in Santa Fe, Tomball, Sugar Land, Galveston & Greater Houston, Texas
When you need the furnace repaired, maintained, or even replaced or installed, the experts of Absolute P&M Services are readily available to provide expert services for our Houston, TX customers. Contact us to schedule service today!
