Explore the Parts of a Furnace with Aire Serv of Springfield, IL

A furnace is a complex piece of equipment with several parts that help keep your Springfield home or office comfortable. So, it’s worth understanding the various components in case you’re faced with a malfunctioning heating system. Fortunately, our team at Aire Serv of Springfield Illinois is here to explain the inner workings of a furnace so that you're armed with crucial knowledge that may help with future upkeep.

The 3 Main Furnace Processes
Every component part of a furnace must perform its job effectively for everything else to operate. Here, we’ll break down the parts into three processes for easier understanding.

1. The Control System

A control system in any operation is in charge of gathering inputs and triggering further action. For a furnace, that means monitoring the actual temperature, comparing it to the desired temperature, and turning the furnace on and off as appropriate. 

The key pieces of the control system include the following:

• Thermostat: The thermostat helps you set the desired interior temperature that keeps your space comfortable.
• Thermometer: A thermometer assists the thermostat by measuring the temperature in the room. When a temperature gap is detected—e.g., the room temperature has gotten down to 62 degrees Fahrenheit when the thermostat is set to 65—the control system swings into action.
• Thermocouple: The thermocouple sends an electrical signal to the heat source that it’s time to start generating some heat.

2. The Heat Source

For a control system to operate properly, there has to actually be something to turn on and set into action. In the case of a furnace, that’s the heat source, which includes the process of making that heat non-toxic before sending it to the broader residential or commercial space. 

The key heat source components include the following:

• Gas Valve: The gas valve is part of the heat source that receives the message from the thermocouple. The release of gas allows the burners to blend the gas with the air to create a flame. This is the raw material for the heat source, but the job is far from over. If this air were released into the living space at this point, it would be toxic.
• Heat Exchanger: The heat exchanger, a vital part of the process, works with the draft inducer motor to hold toxic gases, effectively storing them while healthy air goes out to the rest of the property.

3. The Distribution System

The final step in the process is the actual distribution of warm air, which is done by the blower motor, supply ducts, and damper. A proper understanding of the air distribution can also include the limit switch, which will turn a furnace off when the system threatens to overheat.

The key pieces of the distribution system include the following: 

• Blower Motor: The centerpiece of the distribution system is the blower motor, which pushes the warm air into the duct system. The movement of warm air continues until we circle back to the top of the process when the control system’s inputs tell the furnace that the room is now at the desired temperature.
• Supply Ducts: The supply duct is the means by which the warm air travels to exit the vents and enter your living space.
• Damper: The damper is a valve that will open and close to properly regulate the temperature as the living space continues to warm up. 

The control system, heat source, and distribution processes all work seamlessly to keep your space comfortable. However, without regular maintenance, your entire system could be at risk of failing while you’re trying to keep warm.

Important Furnace Maintenance Tips

Below are various maintenance tasks that a professional HVAC professional should assist you with to help extend the life of your furnace and mitigate the need for future repairs.

Keep the Thermostat Clean

The furnace is only as smart as the data it can process. So, when dust and dirt build up on your thermostat, it may be unable to deliver accurate information to the control panel. Keeping the thermostat clean helps maintain the flow of accurate temperature information and allows other components to operate efficiently.

Check the Heat Exchanger

The importance of the heat exchanger, not just for the effectiveness of the system but for your personal safety, can’t be overemphasized. It’s a good idea to check the heat exchanger in a gas furnace and look at the color of the flame periodically—blue is good. However, other colors should prompt you to contact Aire Serv of Springfield Illinois.

Additionally, soot buildup can be a potential warning sign that the heat exchanger needs attention from a licensed and trained HVAC professional.

Clean the Blower Motor

The tip-off that the blower motor isn’t working is when it runs intermittently at times when it shouldn’t—i.e., turning on and off on a wintry Springfield day. Ensure that a heating and cooling specialist cleans your blower motor every 3-5 years.

Breathe Easy & Call Aire Serv of Springfield Illinois to Help Maintain Your Furnace

The issues we’ve touched on here just scratch the surface of how a furnace works. But we hope it gives you a better understanding so that you have an idea of how your furnace is operating and can make the right choice to call us if something goes wrong.

Aire Serv of Springfield Illinois is available 24/7 for emergency furnace support, so reach out today to request service.