You may think that furnaces are boring, but I beg to differ.
Prior to 1885, homes used brick fireplaces or cast iron stoves to heat a home. Cast iron radiators used a coal fired boiler in the basement which delivered hot water or steam to radiators in every room. In 1885 the first riveted-steel furnaces were introduced. These coal furnaces used natural convection (hot air rising) through ducts from the basement furnace to heat the rooms above. Finally in 1935 the first forced air furnace (FAU) used the power of an electric fan to distribute heated air through the ductwork. The coal version FAU was shortly replaced by the gas and oil fired versions that are the basis of what we use today.
Furnaces have only gotten more efficient and reliable through the years. Cutting-edge technology continues to improve furnaces, helping to deliver heated air efficiently, with the push of a button or even a swipe on a smart phone.
In our new model home we use Rheem's Prestige Series Gas Furnace. Some of its most genius components are:
Two-stage burner - allows for a more consistent indoor environment, designed to
switch into high gear during peak cold-weather conditions, so there is no need
for you to adjust the thermostat.
Variable Speed Fan Blower - uses less energy than a single-stage motor
and is engineered for better dehumidification, which provides better indoor air
quality and contributes to a quiet, more efficient operation.
Reliable
ignition system - will light right every time.
Removable, aluminized steel heat-exchanger
- improves serviceability, maximum corrosion resistance, and thermal fatigue
reliability.
The furnace’s overall
improved airflow results in a 96% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which saves greatly on monthly utility bills.
Next time your furnace turns on, remember to be grateful that you aren't gathering firewood or shoveling coal to get warm!
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