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SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
If you think of winter comfort as circulating warm
air, then the electric forced air system is right for you. This compact unit
can be installed almost anywhere in your home and it can even be hooked up to
an electric air conditioning system for cooling. An electronic air cleaner can
also be added.
The system consists of: the furnace, which contains
controls, heating elements, and a fan; the supply ducts, which distribute the
heated or cooled air; the return ducts, which deliver air from the house back
to the furnace for reheating; and the thermostat, which directs the furnace to
heat to a preset temperature. If air conditioning is part of the system, the
same thermostat can direct cooling.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The thermostat senses the house has cooled off, it
signals the furnace to energize a series of heating elements, and a fan blows
over the elements. The warm air is circulated through the supply ducts, exiting
at registers (usually located on the floor) throughout the house. The
centrally-located return air ducts (usually located in the ceiling) draw air
through a filter to clean out particles, then back through the elements for
reheating.
ADVANTAGES
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One central system heats the entire house to the same
temperature.
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Heating/cooling registers take up very little floor or wall
space.
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A single thermostat can control the entire heating system.
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Air filtration system to clean the recirculated air.
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Quiet, clean, and safe. No flames, fumes, or chimneys.
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Central air conditioning can easily be added.
DISADVANTAGES
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It's not recommended to close off rooms in the house.
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Costs more to operate than a heat pump.
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Not designed to be used as a zonal system.
MAINTENANCE
Since there isn't a fuel being burned, it is a very
clean system. Maintenance from a heating contractor is seldom needed.
EFFICIENCY
Electric resistance heat is 100% efficient. For
every watt of electricity the system consumes, a watt of heat is created. The
weak point of a forced air system is the ductwork (see section on Ductwork). If
possible, try to place all ductwork within the heated space. If not, make sure
all seams and joints are thoroughly sealed.
CONTROLS
(See additional information in Thermostat section).
In most cases, a single thermostat can control the entire system. To improve
your comfort, an electronic thermostat is a great idea. It will narrow the gap
between the high and low temperature swings.
It is recommended that the thermostat setting be
turned down while sleeping, or when the house is vacant for four hours or
longer. A programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperatures according
to your daily schedule, saving on your heating costs.
EASE OF OPERATION
With a programmable thermostat, this system is
simple to control. If you have a standard thermostat, it is necessary to
manually reduce the temperature while sleeping and during times when the house
is unoccupied for at least four hours.
CONTROL TIPS
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Clean or replace the air filter on a regular basis (monthly).
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Check for blockage at the register for things that may have
dropped into the ductwork.
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Vacuum the ductwork occasionally or have it professionally done
to remove dust and particles.
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