Furnace Glossary

Furnace repairs should only be performed by a certified technician.

This website is for informational purposes only. Advanpro Ltd. is not liable for property damage, personal injury, or death caused directly or indirectly by actions taken as a result of the information provided here.

Blower housing assembly

The blower housing assembly contains the blower impeller and motor. It is located in the lower cabinet, where it connects to the furnace filter and return system for air intake.

When the blower motor is running, the blower housing assembly directs air up through the heat exchanger and into the duct system. 

Blower motor

The blower motor pulls air into the furnace from the return air system, passes it through the heat exchanger (and air conditioning coil, if you have one) then blows it out through your duct system.

The type of blower motor depends on the furnace. Single-stage furnaces have single-speed blower motors. Two-stage and variable-capacity furnaces have dual-speed or variable-speed blower motors.

The blower motor is located in the centre of the blower housing assembly in the lower cabinet.

Burner assembly

The burner assembly is where natural gas is mixed with combustion air and ignited to produce heat. The inducer motor draws heated air from the burners through the heat exchanger and out the exhaust flue.

In low-efficiency furnaces and some mid-efficiency furnaces, the burner assembly is open and the lit burners are visible inside of the upper cabinet.

In high-efficiency furnaces the burner assembly is closed inside a sealed burner box, which usually has a small viewport to view the lit burners.

Call for heat

A ‘call for heat’ is when the thermostat determines heating is required and signals the furnace to start up.

Some thermostats have a built-in delay before they call for heat. This is a feature to prevent short cycling the furnace — not a malfunction. See below for examples of common thermostats calling for heat. 

Analog thermostats with no display call for heat when the temperature set by the slider (at the bottom) is higher than the indoor temperature measured on the dial at the top. There is often an audible 'click' as the thermostat switches the call for heat on or off.

When an Ecobee thermostat is calling for heat, a small orange flame is shown on the display above the temperature setting.

When a Honeywell T4 or T6 thermostat is calling for heat, 'Heat On' is shown on the display. If the 'Heat On' text is flashing, the call for heat was delayed and will start within 5 minutes.

When a Nest thermostat is calling for heat, the display turns orange and 'heating' is shown above the temperature setting.

Control board and wiring

The control board handles all aspects of furnace operation. It starts the furnace when the thermostat is calling for heat, and stops the furnace when the set temperature is reached.

The control board engages the inducer motor, gas valve, igniter, and blower motor in precise sequence for safe startup and operation. The newer the furnace, the more advanced the control system.

The control board is located in the lower cabinet and is connected by wires to all of the electrical components and sensors in the furnace.

Error codes are typically displayed on the control board or nearby.

Filter

The furnace filter cleans air before it enters the furnace, stopping dust, dirt, pet hair, and other particles from circulating through your home or damaging furnace components.

Furnace filters should be replaced every 90 days, before they become clogged and ineffective. Certain filter types and air quality conditions may require earlier replacement.

The furnace filter assembly is typically located directly between the furnace and return air duct system, where it connects directly to the blower housing assembly.

Flame sensor

The flame sensor is a safety feature that tells the furnace control system if natural gas is being burned. If the gas valve is open but the igniter fails or combustion stops, the flame sensor will alert the furnace to shut off the gas supply.

Mid- and high-efficiency furnaces have an igniter and flame sensor. Low-efficiency furnaces have a pilot light and thermocouple.

Gas valve

The gas valve controls the flow of gas to the burners. It activates when there is a call for heat and the furnace startup sequence has safely completed.

Single-stage furnaces have gas valves that are either “on” or “off.” Two-stage furnaces have two-stage gas valves with “high” and “low” output. Variable-capacity furnaces have modulating gas valves that can vary gas flow based on heating demands.

Low-efficiency furnaces have two gas valves: the pilot tube valve to provide gas to the pilot light, and the main valve to provide gas to the burners.

Heat exchanger

The heat exchanger transfers heat from combusted gas into the air pushed through your heating ducts.

The inducer blower draws combusted gas from the burners, through the heat exchanger, and out through the exhaust flue. Meanwhile, the blower motor pushes air across the heat exchanger and into the duct system.

The heat exchanger separates the furnace combustion system from the air that goes into your home, keeping it free of exhaust gases and combustion residue.

The heat exchanger compartment is at the rear of the upper cabinet, but is not visible even when the front panel is open.

Humidifier

A furnace-mounted humidifier maintains the set humidity level by moistening air as it passes through the duct system.

Bypass-style humidifiers (the most common type in Calgary) operate by “bypassing” the furnace with a short duct between the return air system and hot air trunk. When the furnace operates, air is pulled through the bypass duct and over the moistened humidifier drum or pad.

The humidifier requires a line for fresh water input, a drain for condensation disposal, and electricity leads to operate. 

Igniter

The igniter is a hot-surface resistor or spark plug located in the burner assembly of mid- and high-efficiency furnaces. When the gas valve is opened, the igniter is engaged to light the burners.

Low-efficiency furnaces have a pilot light instead of an igniter.

Inducer motor and blower

The inducer is a small blower that circulates combustion air through the heat exchanger and pushes it out of the exhaust flue.

The inducer motor engages at the start of the ignition cycle to purge air and gas from previous cycles and intake the correct volume of air for high-efficiency combustion.

Lower cabinet

The lower cabinet contains the blower housing assembly and (typically) the control board.

The lower cabinet maintains a cooler temperature because it is below the upper cabinet and separated from the burners and heat exchanger, which helps protect the control board and blower motor electronics.

Pilot light

The pilot light is a small flame that is always kept lit inside the burner assembly of low-efficiency furnaces. When the gas valve is opened, the pilot light ignites the gas to start the burners.

If the pilot light is not lit, a thermocouple disables the gas valve.

Mid- and high-efficiency furnaces have an electric igniter instead of a pilot light.

Thermocouple

A thermocouple is a simple, temperature-controlled electrical switch. Low-efficiency furnaces use a thermocouple to disable the gas valve if the pilot light is not lit.

Mid- and high-efficiency furnaces have a flame sensor instead of a thermocouple.

Thermostat

The thermostat measures the indoor air temperature and calls for heat from the furnace as needed to maintain the set temperature. It is connected directly to the furnace control board with low voltage wires.

Some newer furnaces are paired with thermostats that provide smart features, maintenance reminders, and error code reporting.

Smart thermostats such as Nest and Ecobee can connect to most furnaces to provide extra features and programmability. 

Home with multiple heating zones typically have multiple thermostats, each one paired with a specific furnace.

Upper cabinet

The upper cabinet contains the inducer motor and blower, gas valve, burner assembly, and heat exchanger.

INDEX A - Z

Furnace types

High-efficiency furnaces have white or black plastic vent pipes, which are 2″ – 3″ in diameter.

Mid-efficiency furnaces are usually less than 25 years old and have no pilot light.

Low-efficiency or “Standard” furnaces are more than 25 years old and usually have a pilot light.