Furnace: Difference between revisions
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[[File:352px-Condensing_furnace_diagram.png|400px|framed|right|Figure 1. A labelled diagram showing the main components of a traditional household furnace.<ref>"Condensing furnace diagram" Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Condensing_furnace_diagram.png#/media/File:Condensing_furnace_diagram.png</ref>]] | [[File:352px-Condensing_furnace_diagram.png|400px|framed|right|Figure 1. A labelled diagram showing the main components of a traditional household furnace.<ref>"Condensing furnace diagram" Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Condensing_furnace_diagram.png#/media/File:Condensing_furnace_diagram.png</ref>]] | ||
<onlyinclude>A '''furnace''' is part of the [[HVAC]] (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system inside of buildings that provides heating by warming air and sending it through the ductwork. They can also be known as ''[[boiler]]s'' or ''[[heater]]s'' (although both of these are more general terms).</onlyinclude> | |||
Traditional furnaces can run on a number of different [[fuel]]s, but mainly they are run on [[natural gas]] or [[oil]].<ref name="GENTEQ">Genteq Comfort. (March 21, 2015). ''How does my furnace work?'' [Online]. Available: http://www.genteqcomfort.com/learnthebasics/Furnace.aspx</ref> This value can also vary widely across the country as climates and heating needs differ vastly. As well, the way in which people across Canada choose to heat their home varies depending on location, thus the efficiency of different heating methods is unique across the country. For more information on the differences in household energy usage across Canada, see the [https://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/publications/statistics/sheu/2019/index.cfm Survey of Household Energy Use] (2019) from Natural Resources Canada. Due to this high percentage of energy use from furnaces it is important to have proper settings on the [[thermostat]] to ensure money is being saved. | |||
Electric furnaces do not run on fuel fuel, instead they use [[heating elements]] which resist electrical flow and heat up rapidly.<ref name=":0">Bernath S. (2024). (Accessed May 20, 2026). ''Electric Furnace Buying Guide & Brands to Consider'' [Online]. Available: https://www.furnaceprices.ca/furnaces/electric-furnaces/</ref> It is important to note that even though electric furnaces don't directly emit gases, they may or may not be "environmentally friendly" based on how the electricity they are running on was produced. | |||
==Operation== | ==Operation== | ||
=== Traditional Fuel Furnaces === | |||
Most furnaces consist of a few main parts:<ref name="GENTEQ"/> | Most furnaces consist of a few main parts:<ref name="GENTEQ"/> | ||
* [[Ignition]] Source: Ignites the fuel/air mixture when triggered | * [[Ignition]] Source: Ignites the fuel/air mixture when triggered. | ||
* Burners: Burns a mix of fuel and air when triggered | * Burners: Burns a mix of fuel and air when triggered. | ||
* [[Heat]] exchangers: A series of metal tubes warmed by flames | * [[Heat]] exchangers: A series of metal tubes warmed by flames. | ||
* Blower: Blows air over the warmed heat exchangers throughout the ductwork | * Blower: Blows air over the warmed heat exchangers throughout the ductwork. | ||
* Flue: Vents harmful [[gas|gases]] | * Flue: Vents harmful [[gas|gases]]. | ||
* Plenum: Recaptures cold air and filters out particulates | * Plenum: Recaptures cold air and filters out particulates. | ||
The operation of furnaces begins with the thermostat, which triggers when a home gets below its ideal set [[temperature]]. When this occurs, a signal is sent to the burners in the furnace. A flame is then lit in two ways; older furnaces use a small pilot light as an ignition source for gases whereas newer furnaces use a stick of silicone nitride that ignites a flame when [[electricity]] is run through it. Fuel for the furnace then mixes with air inside of the burner and is ignited by the silicone nitride or the pilot light, which burns as a controlled fire. Then, the heat exchanger absorbs heat from the [[combustion]] process in the burners. Once the air reaches a certain temperature, the blower then forces the heated air into the duct work of the home and out through the registers.<ref name="HOW">eHow. (March 21, 2015). ''How Does a Gas Furnace Work?'' [Online]. Available: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4672188_gas-furnace-work.html</ref> | The operation of furnaces begins with the thermostat, which triggers when a home gets below its ideal set [[temperature]]. When this occurs, a signal is sent to the burners in the furnace. A flame is then lit in two ways; older furnaces use a small pilot light as an ignition source for gases, whereas newer furnaces use a stick of silicone nitride that ignites a flame when [[electricity]] is run through it. Fuel for the furnace then mixes with air inside of the burner and is ignited by the silicone nitride or the pilot light, which burns as a controlled fire. Then, the heat exchanger absorbs heat from the [[combustion]] process in the burners. Once the air reaches a certain temperature, the blower then forces the heated air into the duct work of the home and out through the registers.<ref name="HOW">eHow. (March 21, 2015). ''How Does a Gas Furnace Work?'' [Online]. Available: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4672188_gas-furnace-work.html</ref> | ||
This burning process creates harmful byproducts, such as [[carbon monoxide]]. These byproducts are vented away from the home using a flue pipe. As well, some fuel is left unburned in this first combustion. Some high-efficiency furnaces capture these unburned fuels and re-ignite them in a second combustion chamber. The final step in the heating process is to to return the cold air to a box known as a plenum through the ducts. Air going to the plenum is first filtered, as it contains many dust particles. The process of warming this air can then begin again.<ref name="HOW"/> | This burning process creates harmful byproducts, such as [[carbon monoxide]]. These byproducts are vented away from the home using a flue pipe. As well, some fuel is left unburned in this first combustion. Some high-efficiency furnaces capture these unburned fuels and re-ignite them in a second combustion chamber. The final step in the heating process is to to return the cold air to a box known as a plenum through the ducts. Air going to the plenum is first filtered, as it contains many dust particles. The process of warming this air can then begin again.<ref name="HOW"/> | ||
Furnaces can also include [[humidifier]]s, which reintroduce moisture into the air of the home to improve home [[air quality]]. | Furnaces can also include [[humidifier]]s, which reintroduce moisture into the air of the home to improve home [[air quality]]. | ||
=== Electric Furnaces === | |||
The main parts of an electric furnace are similar but differ:<ref name=":0" /> | |||
* Heating elements: The source of heat in an electric furnace, the nickel-chromium elements heat up as electricity run through them. | |||
* Relays and transformers: Manage the electrical connections and power distributions of the heating elements and the blower. | |||
* Heat exchanger: Contains the heating process to ensure that only clean and warm air is circulated. | |||
* Blower: Blows air over the warmed heat exchangers throughout the ductwork. | |||
* Sequencer: Controls the order in which the heating elements activate. | |||
Similar to traditional furnaces, the operation begins when the thermostat is triggered by a house cooler than the ideal set temperature. This signal closes the relay (electrical switch) within the furnace, enabling electricity to flow through the heating elements. Then, the furnace blower draws in room-temperature air, which moves over the heating elements and absorbs heat. The heated air is forced through the heat exchanger and into the ductwork to be distributed throughout the home. Once the indoor temperature matches the thermostat setting, the furnace will stop heating and the system will go on standby.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
== For Further Reading == | |||
* [[Boiler]] | |||
* [[Heater]] | |||
* [[Thermostat]] | |||
* [[Fuel|Fuels]] | |||
* Or explore a [[Special:Random|random page]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Uploaded]] | [[Category:Uploaded]] | ||
Revision as of 22:16, 21 May 2026
A furnace is part of the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system inside of buildings that provides heating by warming air and sending it through the ductwork. They can also be known as boilers or heaters (although both of these are more general terms).
Traditional furnaces can run on a number of different fuels, but mainly they are run on natural gas or oil.[2] This value can also vary widely across the country as climates and heating needs differ vastly. As well, the way in which people across Canada choose to heat their home varies depending on location, thus the efficiency of different heating methods is unique across the country. For more information on the differences in household energy usage across Canada, see the Survey of Household Energy Use (2019) from Natural Resources Canada. Due to this high percentage of energy use from furnaces it is important to have proper settings on the thermostat to ensure money is being saved.
Electric furnaces do not run on fuel fuel, instead they use heating elements which resist electrical flow and heat up rapidly.[3] It is important to note that even though electric furnaces don't directly emit gases, they may or may not be "environmentally friendly" based on how the electricity they are running on was produced.
Operation
Traditional Fuel Furnaces
Most furnaces consist of a few main parts:[2]
- Ignition Source: Ignites the fuel/air mixture when triggered.
- Burners: Burns a mix of fuel and air when triggered.
- Heat exchangers: A series of metal tubes warmed by flames.
- Blower: Blows air over the warmed heat exchangers throughout the ductwork.
- Flue: Vents harmful gases.
- Plenum: Recaptures cold air and filters out particulates.
The operation of furnaces begins with the thermostat, which triggers when a home gets below its ideal set temperature. When this occurs, a signal is sent to the burners in the furnace. A flame is then lit in two ways; older furnaces use a small pilot light as an ignition source for gases, whereas newer furnaces use a stick of silicone nitride that ignites a flame when electricity is run through it. Fuel for the furnace then mixes with air inside of the burner and is ignited by the silicone nitride or the pilot light, which burns as a controlled fire. Then, the heat exchanger absorbs heat from the combustion process in the burners. Once the air reaches a certain temperature, the blower then forces the heated air into the duct work of the home and out through the registers.[4]
This burning process creates harmful byproducts, such as carbon monoxide. These byproducts are vented away from the home using a flue pipe. As well, some fuel is left unburned in this first combustion. Some high-efficiency furnaces capture these unburned fuels and re-ignite them in a second combustion chamber. The final step in the heating process is to to return the cold air to a box known as a plenum through the ducts. Air going to the plenum is first filtered, as it contains many dust particles. The process of warming this air can then begin again.[4]
Furnaces can also include humidifiers, which reintroduce moisture into the air of the home to improve home air quality.
Electric Furnaces
The main parts of an electric furnace are similar but differ:[3]
- Heating elements: The source of heat in an electric furnace, the nickel-chromium elements heat up as electricity run through them.
- Relays and transformers: Manage the electrical connections and power distributions of the heating elements and the blower.
- Heat exchanger: Contains the heating process to ensure that only clean and warm air is circulated.
- Blower: Blows air over the warmed heat exchangers throughout the ductwork.
- Sequencer: Controls the order in which the heating elements activate.
Similar to traditional furnaces, the operation begins when the thermostat is triggered by a house cooler than the ideal set temperature. This signal closes the relay (electrical switch) within the furnace, enabling electricity to flow through the heating elements. Then, the furnace blower draws in room-temperature air, which moves over the heating elements and absorbs heat. The heated air is forced through the heat exchanger and into the ductwork to be distributed throughout the home. Once the indoor temperature matches the thermostat setting, the furnace will stop heating and the system will go on standby.[3]
For Further Reading
- Boiler
- Heater
- Thermostat
- Fuels
- Or explore a random page
References
- ↑ "Condensing furnace diagram" Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Condensing_furnace_diagram.png#/media/File:Condensing_furnace_diagram.png
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Genteq Comfort. (March 21, 2015). How does my furnace work? [Online]. Available: http://www.genteqcomfort.com/learnthebasics/Furnace.aspx
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bernath S. (2024). (Accessed May 20, 2026). Electric Furnace Buying Guide & Brands to Consider [Online]. Available: https://www.furnaceprices.ca/furnaces/electric-furnaces/
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 eHow. (March 21, 2015). How Does a Gas Furnace Work? [Online]. Available: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4672188_gas-furnace-work.html
