Furnace Repair in Ocean County Terms to Know
The cold weather is upon us and heating systems are in full use. If you neglected to have an inspection of your furnace done prior to the cold weather, you may find yourself in a bind. When it comes time to call someone to take care of your furnace repair in Ocean County it can be helpful to be familiar with the terminology. With just a little bit of information, you can help protect yourself from being upsold on services that may not be necessary or at the very least, you can understand what the repair technician is talking about.
There are a few different types of furnaces, but the terms discussed here will all refer to a gas furnace. This is the most common type of furnace. A gas furnace receives natural gas from a service line to heat the air. There are many parts in a gas furnace that are important and are good to know about in the case that you need some furnace repair in Ocean County.
Parts of a Gas Furnace related to Furnace Repair in Ocean County
Air Filter – One of the easiest parts of your furnace to understand and care for on your own. The air filter in your furnace keeps dirt and debris out of your system. An air filter can easily be changed by yourself and should be done a few times a year. A dirty air filter causes your furnace to have to work harder than it needs to which may result in the need for furnace repair more often.
Blower Motor – This part of the furnace is what pushes the air into the vents and throughout your home. It is a very important part and if something goes wrong with it, you will not have heat in your home.
Burner – The initial reaction point where air and gas mix to create a flame.
Draft Inducer – This handy little piece of your furnace is what vents any toxic fumes that are created during the heating process out of your home. It also helps supply oxygen to the burners.
Flame Sensor – Just as its name says, this small piece of metal is another safety measure for your furnace. It makes sure that whenever the gas valve is open, there is a flame present. If your furnace shuts off after only a few seconds, it may be because your flame sensor is bad.
Gas Valve – This valve helps manage the pressure with which gas is flowing through your furnace. It also helps to shut off the gas in the case that a failure occurs in a safety switch.
Heat Exchanger – This is the part of your furnace that actually heats the air that heats your home. The fuel is pumped through the heat exchanger, getting very hot, and the blower pushes air over and around the exchanger, into your ductwork, delivering warm air to your home. It is essential to have it inspected regularly for cracks or damage as that could lead to gas and carbon monoxide leaks.
Limit Switch – This item is essential in order for your furnace to operate properly and safely. The limit switch is what tells the air handler to turn on and start moving air through the home. Without it, your furnace would start blowing air through your vents before it was actually heated resulting in a colder home, not a warmer one. It is also a safety switch that prevents your furnace from overheating by shutting off the fuel supply if the system gets too hot.
Furnace Repair in Ocean County is Important to Keep your Home Safe and Warm
We hope we’ve enlightened you a bit about your furnace and its parts. While this is a small list of items that are in a furnace, you can speak more knowledgeably about it to the company that provides furnace repair in Ocean County by being familiar with some parts. Without proper furnace inspection and repair, you could be at risk of gas leaks, carbon monoxide poising, and of course, a long cold winter. It is always best to have an inspection done prior to the heavy usage your furnace undoubtedly sees during the winter months. Have a trustworthy company that you can call in an emergency for furnace repair in Ocean County like Toms River Heating and Air Conditioning.