Posted on: 10. 18. 23
Natural gas is an important energy source that heats up homes across the country. While it seems easy enough to turn a knob and experience some warm relief or fire for cooking, getting natural gas from the gas production facility to the corners of your home is quite the journey.
As the cooler months approach, let’s examine how natural gas really heats up your home.
Where Natural Gas Comes From
Before natural gas can heat up your home, it has to be drilled and extracted from underground reservoirs. Natural gas is formed over millions of years from decaying plants and animals that are buried under rock, sand, and silt. It is found in certain rock formations deep below the earth’s surface.
Energy companies drill natural gas wells to tap into these underground natural gas reserves. Once extracted, the natural gas is processed to remove impurities and transported through pipelines to local distribution companies. These utility providers deliver the gas to homes and businesses for heating, cooking, and other uses.
How Natural Gas Systems Work in Homes
Let’s take a look at the process that displays how natural gas heats your home. It all starts with the external gas line that runs from the street to your home. This buried pipe connects to the gas meter near your home, which measures the amount of gas entering.
From the gas meter, pipes run into your home. These carry the natural gas to the furnace or boiler, water heater, stove, and other gas appliances.
Furnaces and Boilers
The furnace or boiler is the primary way that natural gas heats up your home. Here’s how they work:
The Combustion Chamber
Inside the furnace is a combustion chamber. This is where the natural gas is burned as fuel. The gas enters through a gas valve, which regulates the amount of fuel flowing in.
The gas mixes with air and is ignited by a pilot light. This creates flames within the combustion chamber. As the gas burns, it gives off heat energy.
The Heat Exchanger
Next, the heat from the burning gas passes through the heat exchanger. This metal enclosure contains tubes or plates that separate the flames from the rest of the system.
As air from your home blows across the heat exchanger, the heat is transferred to the air. This warmed air then circulates through ductwork into different areas of your home.
The Blower and Thermostat
The blower is a fan that pulls in the air and pushes it over the heat exchanger. This allows for efficient heat transfer.
The whole system is controlled by the thermostat. This sensitive device monitors the air temperature and signals the furnace to turn on if the home gets too cold. Once your home reaches the desired temp, the thermostat tells the furnace to shut off.
What’s the Efficiency of the Average Furnace?
A furnace’s efficiency level indicates the percentage of fuel converted to usable heat. Higher efficiency models maximize heat transfer while minimizing energy waste. Upgrading to an energy-efficient unit can reduce your heating costs.
Modern furnaces typically reach 90-98% efficiency levels. Older, less efficient units can be as low as 60%.
Boilers and Steam Heat
Boilers operate similarly to furnaces, but there are a few key differences. Boilers also have a combustion chamber and heat exchanger. But the boiler heats up water instead of directly warming air.
The hot water from the boiler then circulates through pipes to radiators, baseboard convectors, or radiant flooring throughout your home. This is called a steam heating system.
The radiators or pipes then release the heat into different rooms. After releasing its heat, the water loops back to the boiler to be reheated before recirculating.
Water Heaters
In addition to heating your home, natural gas is also used to heat the water in your home for bathing, washing, cooking, etc. This is done by an appliance called a water heater.
Water heaters also have a combustion chamber, heat exchanger, and flue. Cold water enters the tank while the heat exchanger warms it. The now-heated water exits through pipes to the hot water fixtures in your home.
Natural gas water heaters heat water more quickly than electric models. They also recover faster after use to reheat the water.
Gas Fireplaces
Many homes today feature natural gas fireplaces. These work similarly to a furnace by burning gas to produce flames and heat. But instead of ductwork, the warmth directly radiates into the room.
Gas fireplaces are convenient to use. Simply flip a switch or press a button to turn on the flame. No need to stock and carry firewood.
Keep Your Holidays Warmer This Year With Pro-Gas, LLC
With proper maintenance and care, natural gas furnaces, water heaters, and appliances provide safe and efficient home heating for families nationwide.
Knowing how the technology works gives homeowners a deeper appreciation for this convenient fuel source. At Pro-Gas Services, LLC, we’re proud to provide Texas and national production facilities with the necessary equipment that keeps homes feeling great for the holidays.
If you’re a natural gas facility manager who knows it’s time to improve your site’s equipment, contact us to learn more about our services and equipment availability.
