Are you in need of furnace repair and curious to know what your technician is talking about? There are a lot of furnace parts, and without knowing what they do, it might just sound like nonsense. It is important to be educated about furnaces and their parts, so that you can make more informed decisions. There are high efficiency furnaces that run on gas and electricity, and we’ll go over the parts in both systems.
Pilot Light
If you have a gas furnace, it has a pilot light. This is probably the most important part of the furnace to understand as a homeowner. The pilot light is a little gas flame that is always lit. The furnace needs this light to start up, so if you’re having trouble turning on the furnace, the pilot light is the first place you should look.
Heat Elements
If you have an electric furnace instead, the key part to know are the heat elements. These are electrical bands or wires that create the heat that the furnace produces. These are controlled by heat relays. These regulate how much electricity enters the heat elements. More electricity creates more heat.
Filters
Whether you have a gas or electric furnace, it has a filter. These filters are meant to protect the sensitive parts of the furnace from dust and debris that would otherwise collect inside, impair the furnace’s function and increase the risk of a fire. Every few months, you should be changing your furnace filter in order to keep the furnace running and keep your air quality high.
Flue
On gas furnaces, there is a flue. This is like a small exhaust pipe for the furnace, keeping the exhaust from entering your home. High efficiency furnaces will lose very little heat through its flue or exhaust.
Are you looking for more information on furnaces and their parts? Contact our team at B&B ClimateCare today, we would be happy to help with any and all of your HVAC needs.
Heat Exchanger
Also in a gas furnace, a heat exchanger is what absorbs the heat created by the gas and releases it to the blower motor. It’s like a necessary middle-man in the heat creation process. The heat exchanger can get cracked and damaged and is one of the more expensive parts to replace.
Plenum
In an electric furnace, the plenum is a small spot that collects air. It allows air to flow through the furnace easily, making it more energy-efficient.
Furnace Blower
The furnace blower or blower motor sits at the base of the furnace and blows air into the appliance, so that the heat it generates can leave it and be spread throughout your home. There are different parts of a furnace blower, including the fan.
Return Air Ducts
When air leaves your furnace, some new air also has to come in to balance pressure and allow heat to flow out of the furnace into your home. The return air duct is a simple grate that pulls air from your home into the furnace.
Are you looking for more information on furnace parts? One of our team members would be happy to help. Contact us today.
