A furnace isn’t just a furnace. That’s today’s lesson #1 – but wait, it gets better.
Your furnace is the sum of its collective parts, no different than any other mechanical system. In this case, however, it’s important that you understand the role of at least one of its components, and why it’s so important to have it periodically inspected.
We’re talking about your heating system’s heat exchanger. Here’s the industry standard definition:
A heat exchanger allows heat from a fluid (liquid or a gas) to pass to a second fluid (another liquid or gas) without the two fluids coming in direct contact. If they did come in contact, the gas flames inside your furnace could be extinguished by water…the result, of course, would be no heat.
Let’s say, for example, that you have a gas furnace.
In that instance, gas is the heated substance that transfers heat to cool water in another set of pipes. There, water is heated to supply your home with the desired level of indoor comfort.
The more efficient the heat exchanger, the more comfortable you’ll feel and the less you’ll pay to heat it. Over time, heating efficiency begins to erode, and that’s precisely why you should have your heating system cleaned and inspected by a licensed HVAC professional once a year.
Heat exchangers also are prone to crack and leak over time. That, in turn, can pose serious health and safety problems from potential carbon monoxide and gas leaks.
Other than the wear and tear a heat exchanger incurs on its own, its performance and stability also can be negatively impacted by dirty air filters, airflow problems within your ducts, and rust caused by condensation building up over time on the pipes’ outside walls.
Has it been a year or longer since your heating system – heat exchanger and all – has been professionally inspected? If so, contact the indoor comfort specialists today at Eagle Service Company. Keeping you safe, warm and comfortable isn’t just our job – it’s our pleasure.
