Gas furnaces have a long track record for providing reliable and affordable heat. At last count, nearly a third of the homes in our state relied on one for heat. As a homeowner, you likely have had some experience with one. However, you probably don’t know much about the inner workings of a gas furnace. To remedy that, here’s a look at the average gas furnace and its advantages and disadvantages.
How Gas Furnaces Function
Understanding how a gas furnace works is simple enough. The heating process begins when your thermostat tells the furnace’s control board you need heat. At that point, the control board instructs the gas valve inside the furnace to open. That begins the flow of natural gas through the burners inside the furnace’s combustion chamber. Simultaneously, the control board also activates the furnace’s ignition system. Most modern furnaces feature an electric ignition system with an electric resistance heating element. The heating element gets red hot, allowing it to ignite the gas passing through the burners.
If all goes well, the burners ignite. Modern furnaces feature a flame sensor to ensure it. If the flame sensor detects no heat production in the combustion chamber, it triggers a gas valve shutdown. That prevents any gas from leaking into your home if your furnace malfunctions.
With the burners firing, the next thing that happens is the startup of the furnace’s blower motor. It pulls in cold air from your home via your return ductwork. That cold air gets pushed past a heat exchanger just above your furnace’s burners. As gas combusts, it releases hot waste gasses, which pass inside the heat exchanger. That makes the exchanger hot, which lets it transmit heat into the passing air. The now-hot air travels through your supply ductwork and out of your home’s vents.
The waste gasses leave the heat exchanger after surrendering most of their heat. Then, they pass through your furnace flue and exit your home. Once your thermostat registers the temperature you’ve set, it sends a shutdown signal to the furnace. The control board responds by turning off the blower fan and gas valve, halting combustion.
The Advantages of Gas Furnaces
Gas furnaces come with some significant advantages. One is that they’re very reliable. A new gas furnace can last 20 years or more if you take good care of it. Another is that they’re efficient, as far as heating systems go. You can’t buy a gas furnace with an efficiency below 81%. Some high-efficiency models are even better if you have the money to invest. Those boast efficiencies of up to 98.7%. Those high efficiencies matter when considering natural gas is among the cheapest heating fuels. They mean you’ll have inexpensive heat for as long as you own your furnace. It’s also worth noting that you can pair a gas furnace with a central AC to add cooling capacity to your home. In that configuration, your AC would share your furnace blower and ductwork.
The Disadvantages of Gas Furnaces
The most notable disadvantage of a gas furnace is that it’s not environmentally friendly. By burning natural gas, you’re releasing harmful quantities of nitrogen and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. If your furnace malfunctions, it might release those gasses in your home. Both can be fatal to anyone living in your home. Additionally, gas furnaces can also pose a fire risk. That’s a natural risk of carrying out controlled combustion in your home. The good news is that regular maintenance can virtually eliminate any risks of operating a gas furnace.
Local Gas Furnace Specialists
If you have or want a gas furnace for your Nesbit, MS home, RW Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical is the heating service partner you need. Our family-owned business has served the local community for over 25 years. We offer HVAC installation, repair, furnace maintenance, and plumbing and electrical services. We employ NATE-certified HVAC technicians and highly trained plumbers and electricians. We’re a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer and a recipient of the Angi Super Service Award. We’re also BBB-accredited with an A+ rating. So, if you need a furnace in Nesbit, contact our team at RW Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical immediately!
