Power Vented Furnaces
more HVAC definitions
Furnaces and boilers can be "natural draft" or "power vented". In a "natural draft"
furnace a chimney creates suction and pulls hot gases through the furnace's heat exchanger.
However, if you don't have a chimney you need to use a fan to pull those gases through the
furnace and out of the building -- such a furnace is called a "power vented" furnace.
There are two types of power-vented furnaces: induced draft and forced draft.
Advantages
Power-vented furnaces can vent directly outside through a side wall -- as you might guess, if you don't have
a chimney, this is a very useful feature.
Power vented furnaces also tend to be a bit more efficient than natural draft furnaces,
as the fan can regulate the optimum amount of gases pulled through the heat exchanger.
Disadvantages
Power-vented furnaces tend to be a bit more expensive than natural draft models. Some
homeowners have complained that side-vented furnaces can leave yellowish or gray stains
on white siding.
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