Harvey W. Hottel, Inc.

Since 1945

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The Workings of a Forced-Air Heating System

As is suggested by the name, a forced-air heating system works by – you guessed it – forcing air from one location to another. By far the most popular method of heating homes in the United States, a forced-air system is the favorite because it provides heat in the winter and then can double as a central air conditioning system in the warm months.

Five basic components comprise every forced-air system on the market. These include an air handler, a way to heat the air, air ducts to and from the unit and a thermostat. The air handler can consists of a freestanding blower cabinet used with a traditional heat pump or a forced-air furnace with a blower. Gas-fueled burners or electric-resistance heating elements must be included to heat the air that will be forced throughout the home. Air ducts are necessary to deliver air to the heat source as well as for distributing it back to the rooms. And of course, a thermostat is responsible for turning the unit on and off, as well as for regulating the temperature throughout the house.

Other parts of a forced-air heating system include less obvious, but equally important, components. To maximize efficiency – of both producing heat and conserving energy – furnace filters keep the air flowing freely, room registers or vents are necessary to allow warm air flow into the room as well as controlling the amount and direction of the air and if the furnace is gas-driven, a flue for venting the fumes outside is mandatory to prevent noxious fumes in the home.

The whole process begins and ends with the thermostat in the house. When the temperature falls below the desired range, the thermostat turns the system on, the air handler springs into action by bringing cold air through the air ducts into the heat exchanger, the heat source warms it up and the blower then forces the air through the ducts back into the living space. When the desired temperature is met, the thermostat registers that and turns the system off once again.

For more information on forced-air heating systems, how best to heat your home efficiently and effectively, contact the professionals at Harvey W. Hottel. Based in Gaithersburg, Maryland Hottle professionals serve the entire Northern Virginia, Baltimore and Washington D.C. metro areas. No matter if you live in Falls Church, Bethesda or Sterling, the heating experts at Harvey W. Hottel can address your needs quickly and cost effectively.

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• How A Forced-Air Heating System Works In Your Northern Virginia Home
• The Workings of a Forced-Air Heating System
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