Furnace Control Circuit Board

Within the furnace, the control circuit board is the brain of the operation, which is compact with many electrical parts. The circuit board’s responsibility is to monitor the operation and to ensure the system is working in a safe condition. Therefore, the circuit board will determine which components to operates during the heating cycle.

Furnace Blower Motor

Furnaces today have a higher efficiency blower motor than those in the earlier years. With the high demand for better energy consumption, the government had passed laws that cause manufacturers to produce a better design. Therefore, most furnaces are now designed using an  Electronically Commutated Motors (ECM) blower motor rather than a standard Permanent Split Capacitor (PSC) motor. These ECM motor will run smoother, lower amperage draws and will adjust itself according to all airflow demand.

Furnace Gas Valve

All furnaces today have an electronic gas valve installed within the equipment. These valves are different in size, shape and control mechanisms based on different manufacturers. Furnace gas train is no longer separate in today’s market due to advanced technology. What we have installed inside the furnaces are what is called a combination gas valve. Combination gas valves are compact with many moving parts into one body.

Furnace Flame Sensor or Thermocouple

Each of these flame detectors is used within the furnace to ensure there is some form of flame present. So, without the signal from this safety sensor, the furnace’s main gas burners will not light. Therefore, having these sensors checked regularly will ensure your equipment is staying lit.

Hot Surface Ignitor, Spark Ignitor or Pilot Flame

This is a heat source that is used to provide enough heat in order to light the main burners. However, these parts won’t last forever and will need to be replaced in the event of it not working.

Furnace Burners

The number of burners inside the furnace will be determined by the BTU or the size of the unit. Burners are designed to mix whatever fuel that is connected to the furnace for burning. These items are typically made out of iron or stainless steel.

Furnace Heat Exchanger

According to the design of the newer furnaces, the heat exchangers are more efficient. Within the new heat exchangers, there are two systems connected. First, you have the secondary heat exchanger which preheats the air just before it passes to the primary. Secondly is the primary heat exchanger which the main flame is connected to. However, this device is what the preheated air passes over before entering your home for heating. Due to the requirement of burnt gas not to mixed with the conditioned air, all heat exchangers are sealed. To compare mid-efficiency and high-efficiency heat exchangers. The difference is mid-efficiency system runs at a higher temperature, therefore it requires having iron venting. Subsequently, the high-efficiency furnace is designed to run cooler and also requires having a drain line.

Inducer Motor

This is an electric power motor that is used to introduce air into the combustion chamber and to remove burnt combustion gas. All gas burners are required to have a certain percentage of oxygen in order to burn any fuel efficiently. There are two types of inducer motors that are used in residential furnaces. These motors are named base on their actions or what work they perform on the furnace. Some inducer motors are used only to introduce enough air into the combustion chamber to ensure proper fuel mixing. However, others are used to not only introduce combustion air but also to vent the burnt combustion gas outside the building. These motors are also called furnace venter motor.

High Limit Switch

These temperature switches are installed in multiple locations on the furnace. They are used to monitor the temperature of the furnace and to prevent it from overheating. Because of having these safety switches, all furnaces today will operate in a safe condition.

You should always have a qualified contractor working on your furnace. Contact us today to speak to one of our specialists. We have many years of experience working on a wide range of furnaces.  Our office provides furnace services to a number of areas across BC Canada.

Some of these are, Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, New Westminster, Pitt Meadows, Port Moody, Coquitlam, Surrey, Delta BC, White Rock, Langley, Tsawwassen, Aldergrove, Abbotsford, Mission and Chilliwack.