still work? the thurmastat is on the wall, but the pilot stays lit if the heat is not going. We are having a winter storm and I need to know if this will continue to heat our house or if I should buy something just in case.
2007-01-12 15:48:33 · 3 answers · asked by proud mommy and wife 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
What you describe sounds like a floor mounted furnace with convection air flow, rather than a blower. If this is correct, your furnace will probably work if your electricity goes out. The thermostat on the wall probably controls a low voltage solenoid in your gas valve. The electricity for the solenoid comes from a thermocouple in the pilot flame. So your furnace is self-powered and only needs a source of gas to operate.
2007-01-12 16:33:32 · answer #1 · answered by Tech Dude 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most floor furnaces do not require electricity to work. They have what is called a millivolt system. What that is a generator thermopile is what the pilot light heats up. This is what will energize the gas valve. So the furnace actually makes its own power. If this is the system you have you will still have heat if the electric goes out.
2007-01-12 16:33:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
probably not, because (if its a forced air heater) it needs the blower to move the hot air out. if its a gravity furnace , you still need power to turn on the gas valve to get the main burners to come on. i have a forced air heater but my primary heater is a wood stove. i also have a small generator to power the heater.
2007-01-12 15:56:57 · answer #3 · answered by oldguy 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋