Your furnace is a crucial part of keeping your family warm and cozy all winter long.
For over 60 years, Eyman plumbing, heating, and air has been Omaha’s go-to company for furnace repair or replacement.
Our team of HVAC experts is trained to service any make or model, and we’re on call 24/7.
A broken furnace is a winter emergency. We would never suggest trying to repair it yourself, but understanding some basics about how your furnace works helps you make informed choices about professional repairs.
Parts of a Furnace
All furnaces consist of 4 main parts.
- Burners that deliver and burn fuel.
- Heat exchangers that keep your breathing air and the combustion process separate.
- A blower that circulates heat through the furnace and distributes it throughout the house.
- And a flue that releases gaseous byproducts to the outside.
Furnace Pressure Switches
In 80% efficient and higher furnaces, a pressure switch is one of the many built-in safety mechanisms.
Pressure switches guard against dangerous gas leaks and prevent furnace cycling in the event of a mechanical failure.
Depending on the age and design of your furnace, there may be up to three hoses in your unit, each leading to a different pressure switch.
This pressure switch works with the heat exchanger.
Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger requires a vacuum seal in order to pull dangerous carbon monoxide gas out of your furnace.
If there is a leak, odorless fumes can build up in your home and create a dangerous situation.
If the pressure switch senses that the system is not working correctly, it will switch the furnace off.
Additional Pressure Switch
In 90% efficient furnaces, there is another pressure switch that makes sure the drain’s reservoir hasn’t filled up. If there is a clog, it will shut the system off.
This may happen even if your furnace is only a few years old. That’s why furnace checks are important, no matter the age of your unit.
As your furnace gets older, pressure switches may malfunction. This prevents accurate readings and may result in faulty furnace cycling.
It’s best to replace these, rather than attempt to repair them yourself.
Identifying the origin of your pressure switch problem is best done by one of Eyman’s trained technicians.
More Furnace and HVAC Information
Check out our series of videos about your furnace and the other home HVAC systems.
Eyman’s team services all makes and models, and we’re here to keep your home comfortable and energy efficient, all year round.
No matter what you need, our techs are always just a phone call away: (402) 731-2727 or visit trusteyman.com.