Every AC unit has a different way of working. Specifically on the heating mechanism which is greatly influenced by the furnace. That is why we have different types of furnaces too. A furnace is basically the main part of the AC system and without it, there can never be the temperature regulation that we enjoy in our houses.
So there are different types of furnaces and we are going to look at each of them and get to mention something about how they work and what they use. It is important to help us select a furnace that we can service well and manage the cost of running it without really having to struggle.
How we Classify Furnaces
There is basically more than one mode of classifying the furnaces. However, there are two that are most common and one that is specifically used so much when we talk about types of furnaces.
They can be classified according to how they work and what they use to run. It can be gas, electricity, propane(LPG), or oil. When we classify furnaces according to the modes above, we will obviously come up with different numbers but the one is usually basing on what the furnace uses to run.
Basing on that we have main four main types of furnaces. These are; gas furnaces, oil furnaces, electric furnaces, and propane furnaces, each of them with a different way of functioning
If we decide on classifying the furnaces according to the way they function, we will have three main types of furnaces, which are; the single-stage furnace, the two-stage furnace, and the variable speed furnaces.
Again each one of them has its own way of working but the house gets warm at the end of the day. So let’s get to see the different types of furnaces we have and how they work or what they use in terms of fuel.
Types of Furnaces Based on their Functionality
When we consider functionality as a factor of classification, we come up with three main types of furnaces. The functional part of the furnace is what matters most when it comes to this classification. The mode of functioning determines the general power outcome generated and the relative efficiency that we expect from the AC.
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Single-stage furnace
The single-stage furnace is the easiest to operate or install and it is also the easiest to use. It is the most basic system of furnace operation. It basically operates on an on/off basis. Once you switch on this furnace, it will run with the constant speed through.
It normally uses more power compared to others. It is however still very commonly used. With a range of 4-6°c, you can still be sure of control of air temperature in your home.
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Two-stage furnaces
This one allows you some control over your AC though it is limited. It could be half or full speed operation only. However, it is more controlled and works more quietly especially when the control is set to the half-speed operation.
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Variable speed furnace
A variable speed furnace would only work to the desired extent that you want them to work up to. They would let you regulate the speed of the AC and balance it to a certain level that you want it to run at.
With the variable speed furnace, you can also be sure with very clean air from your AC depending on both the outdoor and indoor temperature ranges. You can always balance the temperature on the. Controls. This type is however quite expensive.
Types of Furnaces on Basis of Fuel
There are four main types of furan es when we consider the kind of fuel each one uses. The four have different operating systems that can work with the fuel systems only but they can fall under any of the above types of furnaces on basis of operation.
Gas furnaces
A gas furnace mainly uses gas as its fuel. When the gas is heated it produces heat, which is then used to warm air that is distributed around the room by the use of a fan to warm up the air around the whole room. They are usually connected to a gas pipeline or to a gas tank just outside the house.
Oil furnaces
An oil furnace burns oil to produce heat that is spread across the room to warm it. These are not so common but they are still very usable in some areas. The oil is supplied and heated in the furnace and the exhaust gases are released through a vent leaving a warm wave of air circulating in the house.
Propane furnaces
A propane furnace uses liquid propane as fuel to produce heat. It is usually connected to an LPG tank inside or outside the house. Now propane burns in controlled amounts within the furnace to produce heat which is then evenly spread through the house by a fan.
Electric furnace
Electric furnaces are becoming more commonly used just like gas furnaces. They have the best controls and utilize the grid or off-grid electricity to produce heat that is used to warm the house. They are easy to install and use. Many people prefer incorporating the cost of running the electric furnaces into the energy bills that they pay monthly.
Types of Furnaces – A Final Word
Depending on where you are and how much you can successfully spend on heating, any of the above can easily suit you. Most people would consider looking at the type of fuel that the AC uses rather than its mode of operation.
However, both are still important in deciding whether it is going to be easy to use them. All the types of fuel that are used on the different types of furnaces are available commercially and they are easy to handle.
Now that we know the different types of furnaces, we can easily decide on which type of furnace to go for and the one we can comfortably use depending on where we are.
