A gas furnace is a crucial component in many homes, providing comfortable warmth during chilly seasons.
This heating system is often a common choice due to its energy efficiency, reliability, and longevity.
Let’s delve into the workings of a gas furnace, from its individual parts to the entire heating cycle, and understand more about this essential home appliance.
Different Parts of a Gas Furnace
1. Blower Fan
This component circulates the heated air throughout your home via ductwork.
2. Heat Exchanger
This part is responsible for transferring heat from the combustion gases to the air that circulates through your home.
3. Flame Sensor
The flame sensor monitors the gas burner to ensure that a flame is present when gas is flowing. If no flame is detected, the sensor will shut down the gas supply to prevent a dangerous buildup.
4. Control Boards
These are essentially the brains of the furnace. They control the timing and sequence of the furnace operations.
5. Air Filter
The air filter cleans the air before it’s heated and circulated throughout your home, improving indoor air quality and protecting the furnace components from dust and debris.
6. Ignition Switch
This component is responsible for igniting the gas to initiate the combustion process. Modern furnaces typically use an electronic ignition system.
7. Pilot Light
This is commonly found in older furnace models. It provides the initial flame to ignite the gas from the burners.
8. Return Ducts
These ducts carry cooled air back to the furnace to be heated and redistributed.
9. Burners
These components mix air with natural gas and ignite to produce a flame, starting the combustion process.
10. Gas Valve
This part regulates the flow of gas to the burners.
11. Thermostat
This device communicates with the furnace, instructing it when to start and stop based on the home’s temperature.
12. Supply-Air Plenum
This component is part of the ductwork system and directs heated air from the furnace to the various rooms in the home.
13. Exhaust Flue or Vent Pipe
This part safely expels the combustion gases outside your home once they have been used to generate heat.
14. Inducer Motor and Fan
These components pull the combustion gases through the heat exchanger and vent them outdoors.
15. Limit Switch
This safety device shuts off the burners if the furnace overheats.
How a Gas Furnace Works
A gas furnace operates in a sequence of steps to convert fuel into heat, keeping your home cozy and warm:
1. Thermostat signals
The heating cycle begins when the home’s indoor temperature drops below the thermostat setting. The thermostat sends electrical signals to the furnace control board.
2. Ignition process
Modern furnaces use a hot surface ignitor instead of a traditional pilot light. When the control board receives the signal, it initiates the ignition switch, which heats up and ignites the gas from the burners.
3. Combustion
The ignited gas creates a flame inside the combustion chamber. This heat is then absorbed by the heat exchanger.
4. Heat exchange
As the combustion gases heat the metal heat exchanger, the blower fan pushes air over the hot heat exchanger, warming the air.
5. Circulation
The warm air is then forced through the supply-air plenum and the ductwork to the various rooms in the house.
6. Exhaust
Combustion gases, now cooled, are vented safely outside through the flue vent or exhaust pipe.
How Does a Heating Cycle Work for a Gas Furnace?
The heating cycle in a gas furnace follows the steps above in a continuous loop until the thermostat’s set temperature is reached.
Once achieved, the thermostat sends a signal to the furnace to halt the heating process. When the indoor temperature drops again, the cycle repeats.
How Long Will a Gas Furnace Work?
A well-maintained gas furnace can efficiently serve for about 15 to 20 years. Regular maintenance, including cleaning and changing the air filter and ensuring proper ventilation, extends its lifespan and maintains optimal energy usage.
Warning Signs a Gas Furnace Isn’t Working Properly
Look out for signs such as unusual noises, frequent cycling, uneven heating, yellow pilot light, or a significant increase in energy bills. These may indicate problems with your gas furnace, warranting a check-up or possible repair.
How do Older Furnaces Work?
Older furnaces, or conventional furnaces, typically use a standing pilot light that remains lit. When the thermostat calls for heat, a gas valve opens, allowing gas to flow into the burners and be ignited by the pilot light.
How do Gas Heaters Work in Apartments?
In apartments, gas heaters work similarly to those in standalone houses, converting natural gas into heat. However, they are typically smaller, designed to heat the limited space efficiently.
How do Gas Heaters Work in a House?
In a house, gas heaters are usually central systems. They convert natural gas into heat, then use a blower fan to push heated air through the ductwork, distributing it to the rooms.
Do Gas Furnaces Have a Pilot Light?
Older models of gas furnaces have a standing pilot light, while most modern high-efficiency furnaces use an electronic ignition system.
Conclusion
Understanding how your gas furnace operates is crucial for optimal home comfort. Regular maintenance ensures its longevity and efficient operation, saving you unnecessary costs on energy bills and untimely repairs.
Always seek professional help from knowledgeable HVAC experts for routine checks and any issues you might experience with your gas furnace.
