There's no denying that modern furnaces contain a somewhat baffling number of components, each of which has its own specialized function to perform. Yet understanding the mechanics of your furnace is one of the best ways to ensure that it remains running strong. If you would like to improve your knowledge of furnace components, read on. This article will discuss the important role played by the gas valve.

Make Up

Because the gas valve is generally spoken of as a single thing, it can be easy to overlook the fact that the gas valve actually comprises numerous different parts, for instance:

• thermocouples
• coils
• actuators
• pilot light system

Not only that, but the "gas valve" may actually utilize up to three separate valves. One such valve allows gas to flow into the assembly. The second valve is used to control the flow of gas into the pilot assembly, which in turn provides the flame necessary for burner combustion. The third valve controls the flow of gas into the combustion chamber.

How It Works

As you can now see, the gas valve is a tightly regulated system, all of whose components must work together in order for combustion to occur. Assuming the pilot light is burning, the heat from its flame will activate the thermocouple. As a result, the thermocouple sends an electrical signal to one of the actuators, telling it to keep the pilot valve open. In other words, as long as the pilot light remains lit, the pilot light's gas will keep flowing.

This is the furnace's "holding pattern," so to speak. Upon a call for heat, however, things will soon change. The thermostat will then send a signal to another actuator, which will open up the valve leading to the combustion chamber. So long as combustion occurs correctly, a second thermocouple will provide a feedback signal to keep the valve open until an appropriate volume of gas has been combusted to warm your home.

Safety Mechanisms

As much as it is designed to allow gas to flow through your system, the gas valve assembly also functions to prevent dangerous raw gas from escaping out into your home. In other words, it is one of your furnace's most important safety features. Should combustion fail to occur at any point in the system--that is, in the pilot tube or the combustion chamber--the supply valves will automatically close off. Only once the problem has been fixed can gas flow through your system again.

For more information, talk to a professional like Augusta Mechanical Heating & Air Conditioning.