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A furnace is the central heater in many homes. It warms air and pushes it through ducts to your rooms. This blog explains what a furnace does, how gas, oil, and electric models work, and how the right return filter supports comfort and indoor air all year.
A furnace is a central heating appliance that warms indoor air and pushes it through ducts to heat your rooms.
Space heating that is reliable and on demand with gas, oil, or electricity. High efficiency models convert more of their energy into usable heat which reduces waste and operating cost.
A gas or oil furnace ignites fuel in burners. Heat moves through a sealed heat exchanger. A blower moves room air across that hot surface and into ductwork. Combustion byproducts vent outdoors through a flue. Condensing models extract extra heat from the exhaust to raise seasonal efficiency measured as annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE).
Electric furnaces use resistance heat strips that get hot as current flows. The blower distributes that heat through the ducts. All incoming electricity becomes heat at the point of use. Because electricity can cost more than gas per unit of heat many homes consider a heat pump when seeking higher electric heating efficiency.
A heat pump moves heat with refrigerant and can both heat and cool a home. A furnace heat pump usually means a dual fuel setup. The heat pump handles most days efficiently. A gas furnace takes over during very cold snaps. The same ducts deliver comfort year-round. Controls determine which heat source runs.
Your return filter protects the blower and indoor coil if you have AC and helps reduce airborne particles. Choose the highest MERV your system can handle while maintaining airflow. In many homes MERV 11 or MERV 13 balances fine particle capture and system performance. A portable room HEPA purifier can add room level polishing especially in bedrooms.
The right filter protects your equipment, keeps airflow steady, and helps reduce dust and allergens in the air. Using a well made pleated filter can keep the blower and indoor coil cleaner and support even room temperatures. It is important to use the exact size your system is built for and install it as shown on the unit label. Choose from MERV 8, MERV 11, or MERV 13 based on your needs and what your system supports. Check the filter every month and replace it every one to three months.
Know how your furnace works, choose a properly sized Filterbuy air filter, and replace it on schedule for steady heat and cleaner indoor air.
A central heater that warms air and pushes it through ducts to heat rooms.
Electric resistance strips heat the air. A blower moves that warm air through the ducts.
Space heating that is reliable and on demand.
Usually a dual fuel setup. A heat pump handles most heating. A gas furnace takes over in very cold weather.
A furnace heats air and uses ducts. A boiler heats water or steam and uses pipes and radiators.
High efficiency gas and oil models reach high AFUE values. Electric furnaces convert all incoming electricity to heat at the point of use.
Check monthly and replace every one to three months based on dust and runtime.
Use the exact size. Choose Filterbuy MERV 11 for a strong balance of airflow and capture or MERV 13 if your system allows. Add Odor Eliminator with activated carbon if smells are a concern.
At a return grille on a wall or ceiling or in a slot at the air handler or furnace cabinet. The airflow arrow points toward the blower.
Yes with the right return filter and regular replacement. A room HEPA purifier can add room level polishing.
Consider replacement if the unit is older than 12 to 15 years, needs frequent repairs, runs noisily, or struggles to heat evenly.
Yes. Place CO alarms outside sleeping areas and on each level for safety.
