Heating your home is as simple as walking to the thermostat and hitting a button. A heating system, such as a gas furnace, is easy to operate. However, many people do not know the parts that make up the furnace. Understanding the different parts of your gas furnace can help you perform maintenance and diagnose problems correctly.
- Heat Exchanger – This is the piece of the furnace where the cold air is heated. Dangerously high temperatures are reached in the combustion chamber, therefore it is susceptible to cracks down the road. This piece should be inspected annually because carbon monoxide can leak if the heat exchanger is cracked.
- Burners & Manifold – The pilot light will ignite the burners which heat the air within the heat exchanger. Once the air is properly heated it can then be dispersed into the ductwork. The gas burners are connected to the gas valve via a manifold.
- Blower Motor – The air that goes from the furnace into the ductwork is pushed through by the blower motor. Fan speed can be adjusted using the controls of the furnace. Some fans may need to be lubricated each year to ensure smooth operation.
- Venting – There are pipes that lead from the furnace to the outside of the house. These pipes direct byproduct gasses out of your home because breathing them in can be lethal. Always inspect the venting pipes to avoid having any exhaust gasses leaking into your home.
All heating systems should be maintained throughout the year and inspected a minimum of once per year. Before the winter weather settles in for good, be sure to have your furnace inspected by the experts at Tri-City Heating and Cooling. Our professionals can repair any malfunctioning parts and make sure your heating system is ready for the impending freezing temperatures. To learn more, or to schedule a service, give us a call at (203) 303-5700.