Forced Air Heaters: Things to Understand

Feb 14
09:39

2015

Todd Dawson

Todd Dawson

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A Forced air heater distributes heat through ductworks throughout an entire building. The return ducts provide the heater the air to reheat and repeat the process. It can work as part of almost all other heating equipment in your home; gas-fueled boilers, furnaces and heat pumps are just a few to mention. Among these, the boiler has a different pattern; the heat gets distributed through a coil installed in the air handler. An understanding of your options and how a unit works will go a long way in assisting users take informed decisions when shopping.

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Types of forced air heaters

Forced air heating units are available as per your requirements. However,Forced Air Heaters: Things to Understand Articles they generally fall into two classifications; 80 and 90 percent.

  1. The 80% heaters

The 80% units are more traditional in nature. They feature an exhaust pipe which gets onto the roof and out from there. They are known to be quiet when compared to their variants. However, homeowners are generally discouraged from going for these types of heaters. The modern versions of 80% units will either have a multi-speed or variable speed blower. Multi-speed means that the user has to adjust the speed manually. This is often done by a professional at the time of installation based on the ducts in your home or the temperature requirements. Variable adjuster means that the unit does the job on its own depending on the temperature setting you prefer. The second is more energy-efficient. But, the initial expense required is a bit too high for an average homeowner.

  1. The 90% systems

As the name suggests, these units are designed to minimize the loss of heat. This becomes possible with an extra heat exchange built into the unit. This is the most popular among the various options in forced air heating systems. It features PVC pipes going out from your home. They can also be installed on the roof. The 90% unit too can have all the adjustments mentioned above; the multiple and variable speeds and a 2-stage setting. It will also have a power venting motor. The air coming out from the second heat exchange becomes too cold to rise up and go out naturally through the vents provided.  

Make a wise choice

As mentioned above, forced air heating systems are available in the design you want; downflow, upflow and horizontal. Evaluate your heating requirements and the space you can set aside for the unit when shopping for the same. The size of your home too is an important factor when choosing one. The larger your home is, the bigger the unit has to be. A home with plenty of rooms will also need different zones to ensure that the heat gets distributed evenly. And, the accessories like air filters can contribute towards the quality of air in the building.

All these insights may make you feel confused. Entrust the task of installing the equipment with a professional.  Discuss your temperature requirements and the expert will take care of the rest. Go for forced air heaters if you want to reduce your energy bill.