Furnace
Furnaces are the most important component of heating and hot water systems that do not rely exclusively on heat pumps or solar thermal energy. However, they can be combined with renewable energy systems. In furnaces, which are usually located in the boiler room, fuels such as oil, natural gas or solids such as pellets are burned to use the thermal energy for heating and hot water production.
In conventional furnaces, the thermal energy produced by combustion is kept at a constant level at all times. A heat exchanger transfers the thermal energy to the heating water, which supplies the radiators through a system of pipes. Any exhaust gases produced are discharged through the chimney.
Low-temperature furnaces operate on the same basic principle, but lower the temperature when the energy is not needed. Condensing furnaces are the latest technology and modern standard. They also use the energy stored in the water vapour of the exhaust gas in the form of condensation heat. Compared to basic and low-temperature furnaces, they have a higher energy efficiency, lower CO₂ emissions and reduce heating costs.
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