What is a Furnace Vs Heater?

Are you considering upgrading your home’s heating system? You may have some questions about the distinctions between furnaces and heaters. Both appliances produce heat in buildings, but there are a few key differences to be aware of.

Furnaces operate by burning fuel sources like natural gas or oil to generate electricity for heating your home. They accomplish this through a burner burning the fuel, multiple heat exchangers, and an exhaust fan distributing heat throughout your residence.

Modern homes typically feature central heating systems with furnaces. The type of furnace you receive depends on where you live and the size of your house.

North America uses natural gas to generate heat. Other parts of the world may use other sources of energy like coal or fuel oil.

Your home’s furnace can be divided into four main styles: natural draft, forced air, mid-efficiency and condensing. Each system varies in efficiency and design.

Natural draft furnaces use large, upwardly-pitched pipes to direct air through floor or wall vents in the home. The heated air is then vented out the chimney or other flue.

Another option for your home is a forced-air furnace, which uses multiple air ducts to channel warm air into the house. This style of furnace can be more energy efficient than natural-draft models since it utilizes a blower to push air through these ducts.

Forced-air furnaces often feature a multi-speed blower, which can significantly enhance efficiency. While these models tend to be more costly than natural-draft or ductless models, if you don’t plan to install a ductless heat pump in your home, then they may be well worth the expense.

High-efficiency furnaces can be up to 98% efficient. These units feature a sealed combustion area, combustion draft inducer, and secondary heat exchanger which removes most of the heat from exhaust gasses. While these furnaces tend to be more affordable than older styles, they lose some fuel efficiency through flue gasses they generate.

Finally, some of today’s more sophisticated heating systems utilize a ducted air-source heat pump that draws warm air from outside your house and circulates it throughout different rooms. Not only are these systems highly efficient, but they can reduce your heating bills by up to 30%.

Understanding the distinctions between a furnace and heater is essential for ensuring your heating system runs optimally. It will also enable you to detect potential issues early on and book regular maintenance with experienced professionals.

It’s essential to understand the differences between furnace and heater so you can make an informed decision about which system is best suited for your home. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to avoid expensive repairs and guarantee your house remains secure and comfortable throughout the winter season.