HEATING USING A FORCED-AIR SYSTEM :: Free Heat Machine Wood Burning Outside Furnaces

HEATING USING A FORCED-AIR SYSTEM

If your home has an existing forced-air heating system, a water-to-air heat exchanger (duct coil) can be added to the plenum of the existing duct work. An additional thermostat is also added to activate the existing fan in the duct work. Your existing thermostat is set to a temperature approximately 5° lower than the newly added thermostat so that your existing heating system becomes the “backup” or secondary heating system. Heated furnace water is continuously circulated through the duct coil. When the thermostat activates the fan, air is forced over the duct coil and heat is distributed through the home via the existing ductwork. A duct coil can be mounted either horizontally or vertically in the system and is generally installed between the fan and the air conditioning coil.

If there is no existing forced-air system, then an air handler unit plus a thermostat can be installed. An air handler consists of sheet metal enclosure with a squirrel cage fan and heat exchanger completely assembled as a unit. The air handler can be installed either horizontally or vertically and with or without new ductwork. A sheet metal filter box (base) is available that can be attached to the air handler unit for cold air return, or in some cases the filter can be attached directly to the air handler housing. A 24 Volt AC thermostat is used to operate the air handler. A free-standing cabinet model is also available that sits on the floor (such as at the end of a hall or under a window) and does not use ducting. Decorative cabinet models are available for use inside the home and galvanized cabinet models are available for garages and workshops.