Many of us pay little attention to how things in our homes work until something goes wrong and they stop working. When your furnace stops working, it tends to be at the most inconvenient times causing a great deal of discomfort. A furnace is a complex system that periodically requires a modicum of maintenance to function correctly. When your furnace is regularly serviced, it works more efficiently at heating your home and lowering your energy bills. Let’s take a basic closer look at how your furnace works, in order to better understand the largest appliance in your home.
The Two Vital Parts of Your System:
The two most vital parts of your central air system are the furnace and the air duct system. The furnace is typically located in a closet inside your house, or it may be fitted in an alcove somewhere in the basement or garage. This is the heart of the system, inside the furnace, there are heat exchangers, a blower wheel and a motor that directs the treated air back into your home.
The furnace also has a heat exchanger or firebox. This is a metal chamber that houses the burner that is fueled by your natural gas supply. Turning on your thermostat for warmer causes a fire to be lit inside the heat exchanger. The heated air is then transported throughout your home via the air duct system that is mostly located out of sight in attics.
Understanding the Heating Process:
When the thermostat is set to the desired temperature, the fire is lit in the heat exchanger, and indoor air is pulled into the return grill. This air goes into the furnace after passing through a filter that captures any airborne particles. There are different grades of air filter available depending upon your particular needs, such as allergies. Fitting the right filter can drastically improve the quality of indoor air, and it should be carefully considered.
The heat exchanger grows very hot, and it radiates heat that warms the air passing over it. The warmed air is then moved by the blower wheel motor into the duct system and circulated around your home. This process is continued until the indoor temperature matches the desired temperature that was initially set on the thermostat.
The Economics of Servicing:
The HVAC industry like any other technological field is constantly evolving, and there are always emergent technologies to consider. It may be the case your heating system simply needs an annual service to get the best out of it. Elevating your air quality can be quite simply achieved by changing the filter on your furnace on a regular basis. Regular servicing can also reveal potential problems that need to be addressed. You may find that your furnace is becoming more expensive to run and repair. In this instance, making a switch to a newer and more energy efficient model may be a smart move. Speak to a local certified HVAC specialist to learn more about the latest innovations in heating technology.