Role of Electricity in Gas Furnace Operation

There are several common topics that come up when discussing furnaces and their basic operations, and fuel sources used to power them are often among these. A common such question: Does a gas furnace use electricity in any way?

At Thompson’s Comfort Connection, we’re here to offer both furnace installation and furnace repair services to clients around Sandy, Midvale, Draper, Cottonwood Heights, Riverton and nearby parts of Utah. The short answer to the question above: Yes, gas furnaces do require electricity for a few important parts of their operations. Here are some basics on why this is the case, the key functional aspects of a gas furnace that require electricity, and what you need to know about managing electrical connections for your gas furnace.

Gas Furnaces Use Electricity – Just Not to Create Heat

As we’ll go over in more specifics below, there are a few key parts of gas furnace operations that require electricity. However, it’s important to note that this electricity is not used to generate heat for the furnace. Instead, gas furnaces use natural gas or propane as their primary fuel source, and this is what creates the heat that warms your home.

When the term “gas furnace” is used, this is the overarching term for all components and parts that work together to generate heat. This includes the gas burner, heat exchanger, blower motor, and other crucial components – we’ll discuss each of these in more detail below.

Electronic Ignition System

For any modern gas furnace, the ignition process is entirely electronic. This means that when a call for heat is made, it’s actually an electrical signal that begins the heating process. The igniter creates a spark or glows red-hot to ignite the gas and start the heating cycle.

Without electricity powering this ignition system, your gas furnace simply wouldn’t be able to operate. If you have an older furnace with a pilot light, you may be able to bypass the need for electricity during the ignition process – but this is not common in modern furnaces.

Blower Motor

Another key component of a gas furnace that requires electricity is the blower motor. This is the part responsible for moving air through your furnace system and into your home. Without this electrically-powered motor, you wouldn’t be able to distribute heat throughout your living space.

Blower fans need to be powerful enough to move a significant amount of air, and they also need to be reliable. As such, they require a decent amount of electricity to function properly.

Flame Sensor

A major safety component of gas furnaces, the flame sensor is also electrically powered. This sensor detects whether or not there is a flame present in the burner assembly and shuts down the furnace if no flame is detected.

This safety feature prevents gas from continuously flowing into the furnace without being ignited, which could lead to a dangerous buildup of gas. Without electricity, this crucial safety mechanism would not be able to function.

Control Board

Often called the “brain” of the furnace, the control board is another crucial part that requires electricity to operate. This component receives signals from your thermostat and other parts of the furnace, then directs the appropriate functions to keep your furnace running smoothly.

It’s important to think of this feature primarily from a safety standpoint. Without the control board constantly monitoring and regulating the various functions of your furnace, it wouldn’t be able to function safely and efficiently.

Managing Your Furnace’s Electrical Connections

Given all of these crucial electrical components, it’s important to make sure your gas furnace’s electrical connections are reliable and safe. This means checking for any damaged wires or connections regularly and addressing them promptly.

In addition, your gas furnace should have its own dedicated electrical circuit to ensure it has enough power to operate safely and efficiently. This will also prevent any potential issues with other appliances or devices drawing power from the same circuit and causing problems for your furnace.

So as you can see, while the term “gas furnace” may imply that it runs entirely on gas, electricity is actually a key part of its operations. If you have any concerns about your furnace’s electrical connections or components, be sure to contact our team at Thompson’s Comfort Connection for professional assistance. We’re always happy to answer any questions and provide top-quality furnace services to keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long, whether you’re in Sandy, Midvale, Draper, Cottonwood Heights, Riverton or any nearby area of Utah.