The furnace flue is a metal structure on the top or back of the furnace that connects the furnace to the chimney through a metal pipe. It protects your health and safety by moving combustion gases up and out of your home in Taylors, SC. To understand how your furnace flue works and protect your home in the long run, here’s what you should learn more about.
How a Furnace Flue Works
In gas furnaces, oxygen fuels the burner combustion. This combustion causes toxic, gaseous byproducts that require exhaustion. Furnace flues are a part of the flue pipe that exhausts these byproducts.
Flues connect directly into a furnace’s combustion chamber. The pipe extends from this chamber to the rooftop chimney or hooded vent, with most of it concealed except for the portion in the attic. Byproducts like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide are constantly pulled up through the flue pipe and out of the exterior vent.
Furnace Flues and Efficiency
A furnace’s efficiency, known as AFUE, affects the flue’s operation. Standard AFUE is 80%, but high AFUE is 92% to 96%. High-efficiency furnaces exhaust at lower temperatures, so they’re often outfitted with plastic PVC flues instead of metal ones.
Because high-efficiency furnaces burn cleaner and offer savings on utility bills, they’re preferred over standard efficiency systems. Heating professionals can help you make the change to a high-efficiency system.
Common Problems
Damage, loose connections, corrosion or a missing flue cap cause furnace flue problems. Common issues include:
- Insufficient airflow
- Backdrafting or reverse airflow
- Flue obstructions
Furnace flue problems or malfunctions are emergencies. If you suspect an issue or need a checkup, contact Preferred Choice Heating and Air, Inc. for a maintenance visit. Our experienced professionals will inspect your furnace and offer solutions to get everything up and running smoothly again.
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