Most furnaces in homes today are either gas-fired or oil-fired. The furnace is the heart of the home’s heating system, allowing us to live comfortably. Located in the basement or utility room, most homeowners don’t give it a second thought until it stops working.

This blog post will help explain the basics of your furnace, how it works, and some tips on keeping it running smoothly. Keep reading to learn more.

Furnace Operation & Purpose

This household appliance is responsible for keeping us warm & toasty during the long winter. It creates heat by burning fuel, most commonly natural gas or propane. The resulting thermal heat it’s distributed through your home using a fan & ductwork.

The furnace can also cool your home by reversing the airflow, drawing in cold air from outside. Furnaces come in different sizes to fit different needs. Central furnaces can heat an entire house, while room-sized furnaces are smaller and meant to heat one room or specific home area.

What are The Furnace Components?

The furnace has several essential parts that work together to create heat and distribute it evenly on our home interiors.

Burners

As the name suggests, the combustion takes place in the burners. The burners are fitted with a flame sensor and a gas valve that help control flames and turn off the gas when a flame is not detected.

Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger is one of the most critical components in a home heating system. A blower motor pushes the heated air into the ductwork.

Ductwork

This component helps in distributing the heated air throughout your home.

Blower

The blower directs air from the ducts into the heat exchanger. It then directs the heated air into the ductwork.

Flue

Also referred to as an exhaust stack, a flue removes the toxic remnants of the combustion process.

Thermostat

The Thermostat controls the temperature by regulating the combustion of the furnace.

Heat Pump

This element is most frequent in hybrid heating systems. It boosts home heating systems’ efficiency while lowering energy bills by up to 30%. A heat pump works during winter by condensing heat from the outdoor air and pumping it back into the house.

During summer, the heat pump removes the heat from the air inside and pumps it out of the house.

Air Filter

The filter helps remove allergens and pollutants from the airflow, improving the air quality. It also protects the motor from dust & other contaminants that might interfere with its regular operation.

How To Take Care Of My Furnace?

A furnace requires regular inspections & maintenance to distribute heat efficiently in your home. Here are some tips for keeping your heater running smoothly:

• Regularly lubricate moving parts.

• Check for corrosion on the unit.

• Check the burners’ operation.

• Inspect and clean the air filter. Inspect all electronic connections.

Guarantee A Smooth HVAC Operation All Year Long With BAC Services

Now that you understand the furnace basics, you must have a professional HVAC company you can rely on for maintenance and repairs. At Brighton Air Corp., our certified technicians are available 24/7 through our emergency line.

Contact us today to schedule a furnace tune-up or repair. We’ll make sure your home stays comfortable and efficient season after season.

BOOK A HVAC TUNE-UP!