How Does My Furnace Work?

There is nothing better than the warmth and comfort provided by your heating system or furnace during the winter months. But have you ever wondered how furnaces work? While you might know some aspects of this heating process, rarely do homeowners have a thorough understanding of the entire cycle.

Knowing how furnaces work can make it easier for you to have an excellent understanding of what might have gone wrong in case the system breaks down. Your knowledge will also enable you to choose the right furnace for your home and can also aid in selecting an HVAC partner.

So, what are we waiting for? Let’s have a detailed look at the working of a furnace-

The Heating Cycle of a Furnace

While the majority of the furnaces used in the US are powered by natural gas, there are plenty of systems that use heating oil, electricity, and propane. We’re explaining the working of a natural gas furnace due to its extensive popularity.

1. 1. Thermostat Signals the Gas Valve

The heating cycle of a furnace initiates when your thermostat detects that the ambient temperature has fallen below your chosen setting. When this occurs, the furnace sends a signal to the heating system’s gas valve.

On receiving the signal, the valve opens for igniting the burner element placed below the combustion area. Throughout the period a furnace works, the gas valve and the thermostat work in tandem for regulating the gas allowed to flow into the system and maintaining the temperature.

2. 2. Heat is Passed to the Heat Exchanger

As soon as the gas valve opens, the burner element ignites. The system features a heat exchanger which starts heating up from the flames. The exchanger is equipped with looped tubes through which the heat starts circulating. In other words, the heat starts transferring to the air.

As this is the most critical aspect of the heating cycle, your home will not receive heat if this system is not functioning as it should. Moreover, any kind of cracks or leaks in the heat exchanger could prove dangerous.

3. 3. Fan and Motor Blower Moves the Heated Air into Your Rooms

When the heat is transferred to the air, the fan and blower motor start moving it to the air distribution box or plenum. Once the heat reaches the plenum, it is passed to the ductwork placed inside the home. From ductwork, it moves towards all the vents and into the rooms.

Again, the thermostat monitors the temperature and signals the heater to turn off when the desired temperature is reached.

4. 4. Excess Heat is Vented Through the Chimney

Based on your system’s efficiency, the entire heat will not be passed into your home. So, the excess heat generated by the furnace is vented through the chimney flue.

Alternatively, if there is no chimney flue, the homes have a PVC pipe running from outside of the home to the central cabinet which is used for venting excess heat.

Beeson Mechanical Service, Inc.: Your Trusted HVAC Partner

While knowledge is power and you should try to know as much about the HVAC system as possible, ensure you only rely on professionals when the need arises.

For over 20 years, Beeson Mechanical Service, Inc. has been offering world-class commercial, residential, and industrial equipment installation and maintenance services. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee to all our customers, providing lasting and cost-effective solutions to every problem. Contact us at 317-535-9338 to schedule an appointment today.