Considering the cold winters that residents in Schaumburg, Illinois, experience on a consistent basis, understanding your HVAC system inside and out is a must in case something goes wrong in the worst moment. One of the most important components of your HVAC system, the heat exchanger works not only to keep the temperature in your home comfortable but also to conserve energy and save you money.
So, what are heat exchangers?
Exchangers Transfer Heat From One Fluid to Another
To illustrate what an exchanger does, let’s take a look at the gas furnace that heats the hot-water radiators scattered throughout your home. The furnace works by burning gas and firing it up toward a network of pipes that have water flowing through them. The water becomes hot by absorbing the heat energy created by the gas jets. Heat exchanging happens when the gas jets become cooler and the water becomes hotter.
Essentially, an exchanger transfers heat between one fluid – a liquid or a gas – and another without the two mixing. The chief principle of the exchanger is that it transfers heat without transferring the fluid that carries it usually through tubing that allows for the maximum amount of air to pass over it and the most heat to be exchanged. When a heat exchanger is cracked, you have various amounts of water vapor, carbon dioxide as well as carbon monoxide and other pollutants escaping, that can cause sickness and in large enough quantities it can be fatal. A heat exchanger can last 15-18 years, but a lack of maintenance can shorten its life span. A dirty air filter makes your furnace work harder trying to get the air it needs to cycle properly to heat your home. This results in additional run-time and stress to your furnace causing it to overheat.
Exchangers Are Used in the Best HVAC Systems
Although exchangers are utilized in a variety of ways, they’re most commonly used in heating and cooling HVAC systems. As opposed to in a furnace, a heat exchanger in an air conditioner removes heat from a hot room inside your home during the summer and pumps it out in the form of a fluid. So no matter whether it’s the summer or the winter, it’s wise to invest in air conditioning and furnace maintenance and get your system inspected.
For more information about furnace maintenance and other winter tips, check out our heating services page or contact us at (847) 637-5287.
