How Does a Furnace Work?

February 13, 2020

It gets cold in Centerville, and you probably do not think about your furnace much until you start getting cold. Understanding the basic furnace function is important so you know what to do when a problem does arise. Here is how it works:

Create Heat

The first step is to generate heat. Either propane or natural gas burns in a combustion chamber to generate this heat.

Transfer the Heat to the Air

Once the heat is generated, the heat will rise. As the heat rises in the furnace, it warms a heat exchanger, which is a metal grid. As air flows through the exchanger, it heats up.

Circulate the Warm Air

The circulating fan pushes the warm air through the ducts into the house. At the same time, it is drawing colder air in through the return duct to send to the heat exchanger. This creates the air cycle that ultimately warms your home.

When Something Breaks

Properly installed and properly functioning furnaces are generally safe. However, if something malfunctions, they can become incredibly dangerous.

Trained furnace professionals know how to inspect the most dangerous parts of the furnace and service them if needed. While it may seem simple, even installing a simple seal improperly can lead to a gas or carbon monoxide leak. Both of these are incredibly dangerous.

You can usually attempt to fix something external to the furnace, such as low airflow caused by clogged furnace filters or dying batteries in the thermostat. Leave the internal parts to the professionals to keep your home safe and warm.

Call High Country HVAC Today to Schedule a Consultation

High Country HVAC has been serving the Centerville, IL, area for more than 30 years, keeping our clients comfortable and safe. Going beyond simple heating and air conditioning, we make sure the air in your home is comfortable. This includes both humidity control as well as air purification. Call our team today to schedule your consultation.

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