Warm air heating systems are a popular heating and air conditioning option for most homes. They heat the air by using oil, electricity, or natural gas in a furnace. The air is then distributed throughout the home out of ductwork that spread out across the floor and ceilings and is then blown out in vents, registers, and wall or ceiling supplies to control the temperature of a particular area. The cycle is pretty straightforward but there are a few nuances which could help you understand issues that can arise from this particular system.
Forced Air Systems and “Gravity” Hot Air Systems
In many older furnace models, gravity has always played an important role in heat distribution. The concept is fairly simple: heated air rises while cooled air sinks. The idea behind “gravity” systems is that the natural rise and fall of air pretty much makes up the mechanism of its heat distribution.
In more modern furnaces, however, you can expect the warm air supply to be powered by a pump that “forces” air through the ductwork and distributes heat evenly throughout the household.
Furnaces and Boilers
One common misconception in heating and air conditioning is the idea that furnaces and boilers are interchangeable, however, they are not. Repair technicians will prepare differently to address issues in a boiler compared to a furnace and it will help immensely to know which is which. If you are unsure, your service professional can help you identify it correctly.
Warm Air Heating Furnaces
Heating and air conditioning systems that make use of warm air heating furnaces follow a fairly straightforward cycle that starts with your thermostat. An adjustment to the thermostat will communicate to the furnace how much warm air is needed. At this point, the heat exchanger warms up the air, which in turn is distributed by a blower throughout your home’s ductwork, until the adjustment from the thermostat is satisfied.
Give Your Furnace the Best Service
For more than 15 years, Palo Alto has provided topnotch air conditioning service in the Bay Area and nearby counties. Call us today at (650) 856-3400 and give your furnace the best that it deserves.