Understanding Your Furnace
If you’re a homeowner, you know that keeping your furnace in good working condition is essential to staying warm and comfortable during the cold winter months. But do you know how your furnace works? By understanding how all components work together, being diligent about performing regular maintenance tasks, and using professional services when needed, you can ensure that your furnace runs efficiently year-round! Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about your furnace.
The Anatomy of Your Furnace
Your furnace is made up of several parts that work together to heat your home. The most important components are:
- Fan
- Thermostat
- Heat exchanger
- Gas valve
- Duct system
Here is how they all work together to heat your home.
Fan
Fans help draw air into the furnace to be heated by the heat exchanger. The warm air is then drawn out by the fans to be then blown through the ducts, which disperse the heated air into each room through the vents.
Gas
A furnace can run off of natural gas or propane. The burning gas produces heat inside your furnace system to heat the air. It works with the heat exchanger, fans, and duct system to adequately heat your home. Without the gas, your furnace would be unable to produce heat.
Heat Exchanger
This component absorbs heat from the gas flame and transfers it into the air that passes through it. It helps ensure that only warm air enters your house while keeping harmful gasses out.
Duct System
Ducts are metal tubes installed between your walls and your ceiling. They are responsible for carrying heated air, blown by the fans, throughout your house to heat all rooms evenly.
Thermostat
Think of your thermostat as the “brain” of your furnace. This device measures the temperature inside your home and notifies the system when it needs to turn on or off, maintaining a certain level of warmth.
How to Properly Care for Your Furnace
In addition to understanding how each component works together, giving your furnace some TLC now and then is essential! Here are some simple steps you can take to keep it running smoothly for years to come:
Change Your Furnace Filter Regularly
Your furnace filter should be changed at least once every three months to keep dirt, dust, allergens, and other debris from getting clogged inside the unit. If you fail to change the filter regularly, it can become clogged with damaging debris, which will cause your furnace to work harder than it needs to. If your furnace begins to work harder, it will cause more wear and tear on your system, decreasing its lifespan and causing the need for more frequent repairs.
Clean Your Heat Exchanger
Your heat exchanger will also need to be cleaned. We recommend doing this when the weather is warm and the furnace is not in use. Ensure the heat exchanger is cool to safely clean the debris off the components. Cleaning the heat exchanger will maintain the longevity and efficiency of your furnace.
Have Your Ductwork Cleaned
Having your ductwork cleaned once per year or as needed is important. Removing dirt and dust buildup in your air ducts can improve airflow throughout your house. Additionally, it helps ensure you breathe fresh air inside your home, which helps keep you healthy!
Professional Maintenance
Lastly, consider having annual maintenance done by a professional technician to catch any potential issues before they become more significant problems. Not only will this help extend the life of your system, but it will ensure the manufacturer upholds their warranty.
We hope you understand better how different parts work together for furnaces systems to effectively heat homes during cold winter months and what kind of care needs to be given for them to stay running optimally for years down the line.
Call AirMasters Air Conditioning & Heating!
If you need professional help with installing or maintaining your furnace, our experts at AirMasters Air Conditioning & Heating can help! Contact us online or give us a call to schedule an appointment. (901) 295-4434