SF-98-30-2 -- Impact of Blower Performance on Residential Forced-Air Heating System Performance PDF

A Canadian association of electric utilities commissioned a study on "Blower Efficiency in Domestic Heating Systems" because furnace blowers have undesirable load characteristics for electrical utilities; their loads often peak coincident with utility system winter (heating) and summer (air-conditioning) peaks. The study examined air-handling technologies used in domestic furnaces, surveyed residential heating and cooling system installer practices, and measured air-handling performance of 71 existing forced-air heating systems installed between 1960 and 1994. This paper summarizes study findings, including changes in furnace airflows, static pressures, air-handling efficiencies, power requirements, and noise levels. It relates air-handling power requirements and airflows of new furnaces to furnace thermal efficiency.

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