how many watts does a gas furnace use

** Gas Heating System Power Tricks: It’s Not What You Think! **.

(how many watts does a gas furnace use)

You glance at your gas heater. It maintains your home comfy all winter season. You know it melts gas. However that hum? That fan blowing? That makes you question: simply just how much * power * does this point really utilize? The answer might stun you. It’s most likely way less than you envision.

Most individuals think big warmth indicates huge electrical energy usage. That holds true for electrical heaters. They transform kilowatts directly into heat. Your gas heater functions differently. Its major job, producing warm, relies completely on shedding gas or propane. That procedure doesn’t need much electrical power whatsoever. The actual power customers are the helper parts.

Consider beginning the heater. Older designs may have a little, always-burning pilot burner. That utilizes a tiny bit of power. Modern heating systems are smarter. They make use of digital ignition. This spark lights the gas only when required. It makes use of a fast ruptured of power, perhaps 60 to 120 watts, simply for a few seconds. Then it quits.

As soon as the gas is lit, the actual warmth manufacturing begins. Burning gas makes hot air. That hot air requires to move. This is where the greatest electricity user starts: the blower follower motor. This powerful follower pushes the cozy air through your ducts and into your areas.

How much power does this follower need? It depends greatly on the electric motor kind and your heater dimension. Older heaters commonly have common PSC electric motors. These can draw 400 to 800 watts when running full force. Newer high-efficiency heating systems normally have ECM electric motors. These are much more effective. An ECM motor could just use 80 to 200 watts for the exact same air movement. That’s a substantial distinction over an entire winter season.

The fan doesn’t run frequently. It cycles on and off with the warm. Start-up could need a little additional power. Running steadily utilizes less. So your heating system’s electrical power usage isn’t consistent. It spikes when the fan starts and the ignition sparks. It works out reduced while the fan runs.

Various other little parts require power as well. The control board is the furnace’s mind. It utilizes extremely little electrical energy. Sensing units keeping track of temperature and security likewise drink power. A tiny transformer actions down your residence voltage to run these low-voltage components. Its power draw is minimal.

So, what’s the overall? Disregarding the follower, the ignition and controls could use 100 watts or less briefly at start-up. The fan is the main event. A modern ECM follower could average 150 watts while running. An older PSC fan might conveniently make use of 500 watts. Keep in mind, the fan just runs when the heater is proactively home heating.

Contrast this to family appliances. A microwave uses 1000+ watts. A hair clothes dryer utilizes 1500+ watts. Your heater, despite an older follower, makes use of less power than these while running. Its main energy resource is gas. The power powers the assistants making it function securely and efficiently.

Don’t anticipate a solitary watt number. Heater electricity use varies. Key aspects are the blower electric motor kind and for how long it runs each cycle. Check out your furnace’s tag. Locate the volts and amps (commonly listed as FLA or RLA) for the blower motor. Multiply volts times amps. This provides you a rough wattage for the electric motor’s optimal draw. Your actual typical use will certainly be lower. If you see 115V and 5.0 A, that has to do with 575 watts. If you see 230V and 1.7 A, that has to do with 390 watts. Newer ECM motors typically provide watts straight.

(how many watts does a gas furnace use)

Understanding this assists. It explains why your heating system isn’t covertly running up your electrical bill like an area heater. The gas cost is the primary expense. The electrical power powers the important helpers. Recognizing this divides the warm resource from the power needed to deliver it. Following time you listen to that follower kick on, you’ll know what’s really taking place behind the scenes.