Heating Furnaces

Heating furnaces are the vital component of a central heating system. Heat furnaces are typically "forced-air" units that suck in air through a filter, heat it, and blow it out through air ducts in ceilings or floors. Heating furnaces are controlled and regulated by a wall-mounted thermostat.

Types of heating furnaces

With gas-powered heating furnaces, a gas and air mixture travels into the burner and is lit by the pilot light. Warm air from the burner flame fills a chamber called a heat-exchanger, which warms the surrounding air. The warm air goes into the air ducts and is carried throughout the building.

Electric heat furnaces generate heat via an electric heating element. Electrical currents travel through the element and generate heat. The heat transfer processes of conduction and convection allow heat furnaces to transfer heat into the air currents that flow through air ducts and into a building.

Maintenance of heating furnaces

There should be no black soot or combustion residue on or around heater furnaces. Burner flames should be blue and consistent as opposed to yellow/orange and flickering. After cooling heating furnaces and turning off the circuit breaker that powers them, remove the furnace sides and vacuum up any dust. Also clean the blower blades of heater furnaces with a damp cloth, and fill any blower fan oil cups with a few drops of oil. Check the condition and tension of any fan belt, and change the filter of heat furnaces each month of the heating season.

Here is more useful information about heating furnaces.