Heating Info From Warmair.net
Gas Furnaces
A gas fired warm air furnace uses natural (city) gas or propane burned in
an open or sealed chamber to heat an exchanger and, with the help
of a blower or fan, move air across the exchanger into ductwork
to heat the space. Its basic components are a gas valve, burner
assembly, heat exchanger, blower, and cabinet.
There are a number of unique combustion chamber and heat exchanger designs
for gas furnaces, but they are copyrighted or patented by different
manufactures and will not be described in detail.
Efficiency of a gas furnace corresponds to the type of burner. Some open
burners use a standing pilot or electronic ignition and draft
naturally through the heat exchanger into a hood and smoke pipe.
They are usually 80% efficient or less. Other open burners use
electronic ignition and a ventor motor to meter the exhaust gases
through the heat exchanger and into a chimney, and are 80-90%
efficient. Condensing gas furnaces use a sealed chamber, a condensing
coil to extract as much heat from the exhaust gases as possible,
and a ventor motor to meter the flow through the exchanger, then
vent into PVC pipe. This furnace has an efficiency rating over
90%.
Accessories that can be installed inside or outside the furnace are: a fan
center to turn the blower on independent of the heat cycle, an
air filter, electronic air cleaner, high performance media air
filter, humidifier, and an evaporator coil for central air conditioning,
Sometimes a condensate pump will be used to dispose of the water
generated in the dehumidification process of the air conditioning,
or the condensing of exhaust gases from a high efficiency furnace.
A zone control panel and motor actuated dampers will be attached to the furnace
or ductwork if the system is zoned.
Routine maintenance
includes monthly filter replacement or washing the electronic
air cleaner grids when in constant use, and cleaning the humidifier
if so equipped. A properly functioning gas burner will not need
cleaning. Black soot is evidence of an incorrect air mixture or
other malfunction and should be checked by a qualified serviceman.
Copyright © 1999 Warmair.com, Inc.
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