As the crisp fall air gives way to the winter cold, comfort and warmth become very important. A common solution to cold weather is a gas furnace, which assures warm and cozy homes during the frosty season.
This article will take you through the world of gas furnaces to learn about their components, workings, and pros and cons. Our goal? We’ll give you the knowledge you need to decide if a gas furnace is the right choice to keep you and your loved ones warm when it snows. So let’s get started!
Understanding a Gas Furnace
A gas furnace is a powerhouse of warmth. This is central heating, where propane or natural gas is burned as the source of heat and distributed around the household through vents and ducts to warm every corner and be comfortable.
Key Parts of a Gas Furnace
A gas furnace may look like a box to most people, but several complex systems work together in its interior to produce heat. Here is a basic outline of its most essential components:
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Burners
Found at the very core of any furnace, this is the area where natural gas is burned, resulting in heat for warming a room or space.
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Heat Exchanger
These metal chambers act as open bridges by trapping the heat produced through the burning gases and transferring it to the air flowing around the structure.
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Blower
These are machines that are used to pull fresh air from outside, then channel it through a heat exchanger before sending heated air through the vent in your house.
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Flue System
Your flue system efficiently vents combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, from your home to allow for their non-accumulation indoors.
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Ignition System
Most modern furnaces come with an electronic ignition system that helps ignite the gas burners with generated sparks. The older systems come with a pilot light, which ignites the main burners whenever it is necessary.
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Thermostat
A thermostat offers a control center that takes notice of the indoor temperature and sends commands to your furnace to turn it on or off.
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Safety Controls
They have installed sensors that monitor the quality of the flame; in case of malfunction, the system is turned off. The devices also include limit switches to prevent overheating.
Working in a Gas Furnace
Knowing the inside operation of a gas furnace allows you to appreciate its power. Here’s an overview of the steps involved that keep your home warm:
1. Sensing the Need for Heat
The thermostat is continually checking the temperature inside. When the temperature has dropped below the expected value, the thermostat sends an alarm to the furnace and switches on the heating.
2. Fuel Delivery
When a signal is received, a gas valve opens to allow controlled gas flow of propane or natural gas into the burner assembly.
3. Gas Ignition
The ignition system generates sparks that ignite gas in the burner, which starts combustion.
4. Heat Transfer
The burned gas generates a lot of heat. The heat does not go directly into your home air; it is channeled through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger absorbs heat produced through combustion and acts as a conduit.
5. Air Heating
The blower pulls cool air from your home via an air return duct. The cool air is then pushed through the heat exchanger, absorbing the combustion heat and becoming warm.
6. Warm Air Distribution
The blower then forces the freshly heated air through a network of supply ducts that serve every room in your home. The blown-out warm air raises the temperature to the desired level.
7. Safe Exhaust
The flue system efficiently vents the exhaust gases generated by combustion, including carbon monoxide, outside your house. This is to ensure that these dangerous gases aren’t accumulating inside.
8. Maintaining Comfort
As warm air circulates, the thermostat monitors and adjusts the temperature. Once the desired level is reached, it signals the furnace to halt heating.
Pros And Cons of a Gas Furnace
Gas furnaces come with several pros and cons that determine their suitability for your needs. Here is a breakdown:
Pros:
- Cost-effective: Natural gas is normally cheaper compared to electricity. Additionally, the utilities have lower operating costs and could benefit the most.
- Rapid heating: Gas furnaces can quickly warm your house compared to electric ones, providing faster relief from cold conditions.
- Performance reliability: Gas furnaces provide dependable heat through the winter, keeping homes comfortable, warm, and trouble-free.
- Flexible options: Nowadays, most gas furnaces are directly interconnected with the central AC system. This way, you won’t need two systems—one for cooling and one for heating.
Cons:
- Higher installation cost: While the operating cost is lower in the long run for gas furnaces, the initial installation cost is relatively higher compared to their electric model.
- Safety concerns: Gas-fired furnaces are inherently dangerous due to the combustion processes. Proper installation, maintenance, and use of carbon monoxide detectors must be followed.
- Less longevity: Gas furnaces on average last only for the span of 10–15 years, while their electric counterparts will last from 20 to 30 years.
Conclusion
Proper maintenance is the key to running a gas furnace safely and efficiently over its years of service. For professional gas furnace maintenance, consider Kuhn’s Heating and Air. Our experienced service technicians will ensure your furnace is in top working condition for the warm winter. Please reach out today for more information and to set up a schedule.
