Welcome to my blog. When it comes to taking care of appliances, it can be an art. You have to use them correctly, know how to look for signs of trouble and understand how to do simple repairs. Hi, my name is Kelsey, and in this blog, I am going to write everything I know about appliances and related topics. This is my first blog, but I have written in many other types of venues before -- I'm even old enough to have had a 'zine (if you can believe that). I live with my husband, my three daughters, and our dog. Cleaning pet hair of of the dryer and repairing blades on the blender has become my specialty over the years. Enjoy reading!
The Art of Appliance Service: An Appliance Blog
Furnace Replacement - Two Gas Furnace Features To Look For
Leevi Saari
If you have a forced air gas furnace that is about 20 or 25 years old, then you may want to start thinking about replacing it. This is especially true if your energy bills have increased within the last year, if your house does not stay as warm as it used to, and if your furnace makes banging or rattling noises. When you go to purchase a new furnace for yourself, there are a few options that you should consider, like the ones described below.
Direct Drive Blower
A typical forced air gas furnace uses a variety of parts to heat your home. The heating process starts as the ignition relay receives an electrical current and becomes hot. Gas is then pulled in through the burner unit and flames build around the burner. These flames move through a metal heat exchanger unit that heats up around the sides. Heat is trapped in the exchanger until the temperature builds, and then the blower unit is activated. The blower forces air through the exchanger, and the hot air then moves through the ducts and vents of your home.
A typical blower is a fan that is powered by a motor, and most furnaces contain belt-driven blowers. These devices are powered by motors outside of the blower, and belts are connected to the motor and the moving parts of the fan to make the fan move. Unfortunately, the inclusion of belts means that these rubber parts can wear down over time. Specifically, the belts can crack, harden, or stretch out and cause the blower to malfunction. Belts can also increase the amount of noise that is created while the heater is working, and there is more of a chance for friction to occur between the belts and nearby parts. Friction will also reduce the efficiency of the blower.
All of these blower problems can be avoided by purchasing a furnace with a direct drive blower. These blowers use a motor that is contained within the fan assembly. The motor is connected directly to the fan axle or rotor shaft to keep the fan moving consistently at the same speed.
Corrosion Resistant Heat Exchanger
Since the heat exchanger unit is responsible for holding heat while air is blown across the metal part, this piece of the furnace will come into direct contact with the air that is pulled into the furnace. If this air contains a great deal of moisture, then the water will condense on the inside of the exchanger. This can cause corrosion to form as moisture and oxygen interact with the metal. This rust can then enter your ducts and vents, and it can also keep the exchanger from heating up as well as it should. This will reduce efficiency.
To reduce rust issues, make sure that your furnace contains a corrosion resistant heat exchanger. An exchanger made from stainless steel is best to resist rust. You also should make sure that you reduce the amount of moisture in your basement where your new furnace is likely to sit since condensation will still build on the exchanger if a great deal of moisture is present. This can cause issues with the ignition and burner parts of the system. Use a dehumidifier in the area to keep moisture at bay. If your basement is extremely damp and large, then make sure to purchase a device that can remove between 60 and 70 pints of water from the space within 24 hours.
If you need the furnace replaced in your home, then you should make sure that you look at the features of the new heater carefully. Choosing an option that has a direct drive blower and a corrosion resistant heat exchanger is best. You should also speak with your furnace specialist about other features that will help make your heater as efficient as possible. You can also learn more by visiting sites like http://www.homesmartcolorado.com/.
Share