A gas furnace is an integral component of efficient heating systems in Edmonton homes, especially those located in cold regions or areas experiencing low-temperature seasons. More commonly referred to as a home furnace, it converts gas to heat with the aim of keeping the circulation of your indoor air warm. Nowadays, natural gas is being used in place of coal, wood, and oil to heat homes as an alternative way of maintaining a green environment.

Ignition Source

Conventional furnaces used a pilot light as a source of ignition when they needed to produce heat. They were fitted with a regulator that helped to supply a little flow of gas that kept a short flame burning, which readily ignited it, thus heating the house. Modern furnaces are more efficient since they use a glow stick that is made of silicon nitride as the ignition source. When the furnace calls for heat, electricity passes through the stick, which makes it glow, and ignition starts.

The Combustion Chamber

For proper combustion, the air has to be present. When a small amount of air enters the chamber, it mixes with the gas and the heating cycle begins. The pilot light or glow stick ignites the mixture, which starts burning in a controlled fire that continues as the air and gas mixture moves around the chamber.

The Heat Exchanger

This is mounted on top of the combustion chamber, which allows it to absorb as much heat as possible. The air located inside the exchanger warms readily as the heat from the combustion chamber rises. After the air reaches the level set by the furnace manufacturer, an automatic motor starts a blower that forces the warm air into the house. To allow the furnace to distribute all the warm air into the house, the combustion cycle ends before the blower stops.

The Gases

The combustion cycle creates byproducts that include harmful vapors such as carbon monoxide and other natural gases, including propane. These gases are captured and compressed by highly efficient furnaces right before they are burnt in another combustion chamber. This helps to squeeze all the energy from all unburned gases. A flue pipe is also used to vent all other byproducts away from your home.

Furnace Plenum

When the furnace distributes warmed air throughout the house, the cold air is displaced through a return duct that leads it back to the furnace. The cold air is then collected inside a box known as a plenum, which is located next to the heat exchanger. This is normally the last stop for the cold air moving inside the Edmonton heating system.

Before the cold air enters the plenum, it has to be filtered because it contains dust particles. Normally, filter furnaces are located either at the entrance of the plenum or return grate in the living space. The air in the plenum moves to the duct and goes out through the heat registers. This is after it gets warm due to pressure differences between the heat exchanger and the plenum.

Learning the inner workings of your furnace can help you appreciate its hard work during colder months. Moreover, you learn a little about how to maintain it.