Your forced-air system is powered by a furnace that delivers heated air to every room through a network of ducts. Ducted forced-air systems are the most common type of central heating, but do you really know how they work?
The components of a forced-air system include:
- The furnace: This machine is responsible for heating the air and can be powered by a number of fuel types such as natural gas, oil and electricity.
- The thermostat: The furnace is controlled by a thermostat (or multiple thermostats if you have a zoning system). The best types are programmable thermostats because you can set back the temperature in your absence and save energy dollars.
- The air handler: In the case of a furnace, the air handler is usually housed within the equipment and includes a blower.
- A pilot light or electronic ignition: Ignitions are the more energy-efficient option since they don’t consume standby energy.
- A heat exchanger: This metal chamber holds heated combustion gases and is only safe if it remains free of cracks and other damage.
- The ductwork: This system comprises a series of interconnected metal tubes that snake through your home, delivering heated air into the home's living spaces.
- Supply grilles and return registers: These direct and control airflow to and from each room.
How forced-air system components work together
The furnace kicks on only when the thermostat reads that room temperature has dropped below the indicated setting. The thermostat sends an electronic signal to the furnace, opening the fuel valve, allowing fuel to reach the burners and turning on the blower. The pilot light or ignition lights the burners, which heats up the inside of the heat exchanger, thus warming the air that travels around it.
Heated air then travels through ductwork, entering each room through supply registers, while combustion fumes are vented outside. At the same time, return registers carry the air back to the furnace to be heated again. The cycle continues until the room reaches the desired temperature and the thermostat signals the furnace to shut off.
To learn more about furnaces capable of completing this process at the lowest cost possible, please contact Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. We serve the Route 495/128 area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.
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