Oil furnaces are reliable and efficient ways to heat homes, especially in colder climates. They burn heating oil to create warmth and distribute that heat throughout the house via a forced-air system. Below, we'll explain the essential components of an oil furnace and how they work together to keep your home comfortable.
Thermostat: The thermostat is the control center for your furnace. It monitors the temperature inside your home and sends a signal to the furnace when heating is needed. When the temperature drops below the thermostat's setting, it activates the furnace.
Oil Tank: The oil tank stores the fuel (heating oil) that the furnace burns to generate heat. This tank is typically located outside the home or in the basement.
Fuel Pump: The fuel pump draws oil from the oil tank and sends it to the burner at the correct pressure. It's a crucial component, as it ensures a steady flow of oil to keep the furnace running smoothly.
Burner: The burner mixes oil with air to create a fine mist, which is then ignited to produce a controlled flame. This flame generates the heat needed to warm the air in your home.
Combustion Chamber: The combustion chamber houses the burner flame. This is where the heat is generated as the oil burns, and it's designed to withstand high temperatures.
Heat Exchanger: The heat exchanger transfers the heat generated in the combustion chamber to the air that circulates through your home. As the burner produces heat, the heat exchanger warms up, and air passing over it absorbs this heat.
Blower: The blower is a fan that pushes the heated air from the furnace into the ductwork, which distributes the warm air throughout your . It ensures that the heat generated by the furnace reaches every room.
Flue/Chimney: The flue or chimney is responsible for safely venting combustion gases, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor, out of the house. Proper venting is critical for maintaining safety and air quality indoors.
Limit Switch: The limit switch is a safety device that shuts off the burner if the furnace overheats. It prevents the furnace from reaching dangerous temperatures and causing damage or fire.
Thermostat Call for Heat:
When the temperature in your home drops below the thermostat's set point, the thermostat signals the furnace to begin heating.
Fuel Pump Activation:
The fuel pump activates, drawing oil from the oil tank and delivering it to the burner.
Burner Ignition:
As the fuel reaches the burner, it is mixed with air and sprayed into the combustion chamber as a fine mist. An electric spark or a glow plug ignites the oil/air mixture, creating a flame that heats the combustion chamber.
Heat Exchanger Warms:
The heat generated by the burner flame heats the metal walls of the heat exchanger. As air from your home passes over it, it absorbs the heat.
Blower Circulates Warm Air:
The blower fan kicks in, drawing cooler air from your home through the return ducts. This air passes over the heat exchanger, warming it up before being sent back into your home through the supply ducts.
Exhaust Gases Are Vented:
As the oil burns in the combustion chamber, waste gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor are produced. These gases are safely vented outside through the flue or chimney.
Thermostat Satisfied:
The thermostat shuts off the burner once the desired temperature is reached. The blower may continue running for a few minutes to distribute the remaining heat in the furnace before shutting down completely.Cycle Repeats: This process repeats as needed to keep your home at the desired temperature.
Oil furnaces provide consistent heat and are a dependable option for many homeowners. If you're in the Syracuse, NY area and need help with your oil furnace, Just Some Brothers Heating and Cooling can provide expert service, maintenance, and repairs to keep your system running smoothly. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance with your furnace.
Since 2016, Just some brothers heating and cooling has been committed to meeting the unique needs of our customers through expertly crafted HVAC services. We extend our gratitude for supporting our family in delivering top-notch heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions.
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