The thermostat reaches a set temperature and sends a signal for the furnace to turn on.
A residential gas furnace in operation.
Natural gas or propane is ignited in the burner.
Pressure switch must close to go to the next step.
The gas side of the standing pilot gas furnace consists of a gas valve a pilot assembly the pilot and main burners and the flue which exhausts the gases after the combustion process is complete.
Heat call from the thermostat.
A call for heat from the thermostat.
But for the most part manufacturers have all gone to a hot surface or direct spark ignition the sequence of operation is as follows.
While most furnaces will follow the below sequences there may be variations in models and manufacturers.
The inducer draft combustion blower motor then starts.
See furnace ecmtm2 motor operation.
Inducer motor comes on.
The heat exchanger transfers its heat to the incoming air.
Flame sensor senses flame.
Hot surface ignitor begins getting hot direct spark ignitor begins to spark.
Variable speed furnace models using 50a51 505 506 507 controls.
Finally the sequence of operation for the typical standing pilot gas furnace goes like this.
With greenspeed intelligence and variable speed components you can avoid wasting money for heating capacity you don t need.
The lowest efficiency allowed by law for new gas furnaces is 78 percent and some new models achieve 97 percent.
Control board does a safety check limit switches roll out switches.
An oil furnace generates heat using oil while gas furnaces are fueled by natural gas propane.
Gas furnaces are typically more efficient and offer lower fuel costs but are more expensive than oil furnaces up front.
However the blower or fan unit that delivers warm air to the living area will not turn on until the fan limit switch in the hot air supply plenum or furnace top senses that the air in that area is warm.
A forced air furnace heats your home through a heating cycle that looks like this.
Normally a hot air furnace oil or gas burner will turn on immediately when the thermostat calls for heat.
Gas furnace sequence of operation.
Carrier gas furnaces with greenspeed intelligence monitor temperature and humidity inside and out then automatically vary furnace operation as needed to provide an ideal combination of comfort and energy efficiency.
Oil furnaces are typically priced lower and provide more heat per btu but are less efficient.
The flames heat up a metal heat exchanger and exhaust out of the flue.
The furnace is in standby mode waiting for a call for heat the thermostat has a call for heat which closes a switch inside the thermostat and sends 24 volts to the w heat terminal on the control board.