There are several types of furnaces, found in homes, businesses, and other properties across the world. Like fireplaces, they’re used to help heat interiors and ultimately keep you comfortable.
As with other machinery, furnaces are susceptible to accidents, due to a variety of causes. But with proper maintenance, and by following safety tips, you can keep your furnace in top shape—and help prevent fires.
What type of furnace is best for your home or business? And what are the best ways to prevent furnace fires, or at least minimize your chance of one happening?
What is a Furnace?
A furnace is an enclosed, often permanently-installed appliance used to generate heat for a house or building. They’re usually part of a central heating system, sometimes using steam or hot water moving through the system to spread heat provide heat.
The thermostat activates the furnace to heat the air. A fan comes on to circulate the heated air through your home or business. A furnace is one of the main components of your HVAC system.
Common Types of Furnaces
There are five types of furnaces, according to what is used to heat the air:
- Propane Furnace.
- Electric Furnace.
- Oil Furnace.
- Natural Gas Furnace.
- Modulating Furnace.
But of these types, how do they operate? Is one better than another? We go into detail on each of them below.
Which Furnace is Right for Me?
Which furnace is right for you depends on a variety of factors, such as location, budget, and type of property. Do you live in a warm or cold climate? Do the winters in your area tend to be mild or severe? These questions can help you determine the best furnace for your property.
What is a Propane Furnace?
For those without a natural gas pipeline, a propane furnace can be ideal. Propane can be quite effective at heating your property, since it’s a byproduct of gas and oil. The propane tank will need to be changed at regular intervals, so if oil and gas aren’t readily accessible in your area, this could be inconvenient.
What is an Electric Furnace?
Typically smaller than other types of furnaces, an electric furnace uses an electric heating system to move heat into the air. These furnaces may not be as efficient as natural gas furnaces and could increase your energy bill. Still, an electric furnace may be an ideal option if you don’t want to handle a propane tank, or don’t have natural gas connected to your property.
What is an Oil Furnace?
Common in the northeastern United States, these furnances burn oil to produce a heating flame. These tend to be cheaper than other types of furnaces, but may run less efficiently than, say, a natural gas furnace.
What is a Natural Gas Furnace?
Maybe the most common type of furnace in the United States, natural gas furnaces use jets of gas to provide even heating through a home. These jets are fed along a burner, which makes a large flame of hot air. This air is then circulated throughout your property using HVAC ducts and fans. These furnaces may be more expensive than other options, particularly electric and gas furnaces.
What is a Modulating Furnace?
A modulating furnace uses an energy-efficient design that combines the cost-effectiveness of a cheaper furnace with the even heating and efficiency of a natural gas furnace. It uses (or “modulates”) an ongoing flow of gas. This flow of gas automatically adjusts, using the ratio of the property’s temperature, as well as the temperature on the thermostat itself. What makes these types of furnaces unique is the precision of their heating capability.
Furnace Safety Tips
Like any machinery, furnaces can pose certain dangers. One particularly dangerous event is that of a puff back. Additionally, gas and oil-burning furnaces produce carbon monoxide. (For more information on carbon monoxide detection, read our companion article about staying safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.)
So, how can you safely maintain your furnace? The CDC and U.S. Department of Energy provide the following furnace safety tips:
- For oil and gas furnaces, have them inspected every year.
- Make sure furnace controls are calibrated for correct air and water temperature settings (to help ensure comfort and efficiency).
- Regularly check the integrity of the furnace heat exchanger. If this exchanger leaks, it could mix the air in your house with combustion gases. This is why regular inspections are critical, as this leaking combustion gas could cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
- If your furnace uses a chimney and/or vent connection pipe, be sure to regularly check these (since they can deteriorate as they age).
- Before you replace or retrofit your furnace or heating system (if this is something you decide to move forward with, due to an aging furnace, or other factors), make sure a technician performs a combustion-efficiency test.
For Cleanup After Furnace Fires or More, SERVPRO is Here to Help
Furnaces are useful appliances, credited with heating homes, businesses, and other properties for decades. Unfortunately, lax maintenance, puff backs, human error, aging machinery, and more can threaten your health and safety, by causing fires and significant damage to your property. Whether a puff back occurs and causes severe fire damage in your home, your kitchen catches fire during Thanksgiving or any other day of the year, or more, SERVPRO will be there. With 2350 SERVPRO locations in the United States and Canada, there is a franchise near you, prepared to provide thorough fire damage cleanup, restoration, and reconstruction services around the clock.
SERVPRO was established in 1967 and has grown to become the #1 choice in fire and water cleanup and restoration*. From minor fire damage cleanup contained to a single room or piece of furniture, to extensive damage in your entire home or commercial property, SERVPRO comes to each job with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to get the job done. Technicians are dedicated and prepared to help make it “Like it never even happened.” Reach out today.
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