Most homes in the U.S. have heating systems, and approximately 50% of homes use natural gas to heat their space. However, some homes use other energy types for heating, such as propane or electricity.
For a homeowner to produce heat from energy, such as natural gas, they need a heating system. The most common type of heating system in homes is central heat.
Have you ever asked, “how does central heating work?”
If you move into a home that has it, you’ll want to learn how it works to know how to maintain and repair the system.
Keep reading to learn how central heating works so you can provide the care your system needs.
Understand the Components of Central Heating
To learn how central heating works, you must understand the primary components of a central heating system. Here are the main ones:
Furnace
First, a central heating system has a furnace. However, some systems use other components to produce heat. The main point is that your heating system needs a device to produce heat, and most homes have furnaces.
Energy Source
Secondly, your furnace needs an energy source. As mentioned, more than half of all homes in the U.S. use natural gas as the energy source. However, many homes have other energy sources.
For example, some homes use electricity to power their furnaces. Other homeowners use propane when natural gas isn’t available. Finally, some homes use oil and other forms of energy to power their systems.
Ductwork
The next vital component is ductwork. Ductwork is something you probably can’t see in your house unless you have a basement. The ductwork runs from the furnace to the rooms in your home, distributing air to the rooms.
Vents
Every room in your home should have vents. You might see these on your walls or floors, and they’re the part of the system that sends air into your rooms.
Thermostat
A central heating system also uses a thermostat. Depending on the house size, a home might have one thermostat or several. This part of the system allows you to control the temperature in your home.
Return Air Ducts
Finally, a central heating system requires return air ducts or vents. You’ll see these vents on the ceilings in your home or near the top of the walls. They carry air to the furnace, so it has air to heat.
Learn the Options
As you learn about central heat, you’ll need to understand that there are various options. In other words, not every system is the same. The first difference is the type of system a home uses to produce heat.
While many homes use furnaces to produce heat, other homes use other systems. An example of an alternative option is a heat pump. Heat pumps use the outdoor air to heat and cool homes.
Secondly, you should learn that many homes also include a central air conditioning system. This system produces cold air to cool a home in the summer, and it uses some of the same components as central heating.
For example, a central air conditioner uses the thermostat, ductwork, vents, and return air vents. However, it doesn’t use the furnace. Instead, it has its own system that conditions the air to cool it.
If your home has a central AC system, you’ll see an additional component outside your house. This unit is a condenser, and it helps extract the heat from your home after cooling the air.
You can learn more about our system and its options by contacting Lyons Air & Heat. They service all types of central heating and AC systems.
Discover the Process
The next thing to learn is how the process works. You might understand the components and each one’s function, but how does central heating work? Here is a central heating guide to help you learn.
First, you set the thermostat to a temperature higher than it currently states, which triggers your furnace to start running. When your furnace turns on, a valve opens that allows gas to enter the system.
The system takes this gas and burns it. As this occurs, your system pulls air into it and heats the air with the gas. The result is warm air.
Your system then sends this warm air through the air ducts, and it comes out of your vents. As this happens, more air fills the rooms, so the return vents pull the stagnant air from the room and send it back to the furnace.
The process continues until your thermostat reaches the temperature you selected.
Get on a Maintenance Schedule
If you want your heating system to work efficiently and well, you might want to learn a few central heating tips relating to repairs and maintenance.
First, you should maintain your system yearly by getting a furnace checkup. A furnace checkup involves several key steps. The technician cleans the system, replaces the filter, and tests every part.
You should consider getting this every year in the late summer or early fall. Additionally, you can get a central AC checkup each year in the spring.
Secondly, you should have a heating company to call when you need central heating repair. Proper maintenance can help you avoid problems with your system. However, you might still encounter some issues.
For example, when your furnace breaks, you’ll need a company to call for emergency services. After all, your home will get very cold in the winter if your system stops working.
How Does Central Heating Work? Now You Know
After reading this, you should know the answer to this question: “how does central heating work?” Central heating is a vital part of your house. Therefore, learning how it works and how to care for it is essential.
If you enjoyed learning about central heating, you might like other articles on our site. Feel free to explore it to find more information to read.
