Improving Gas Furnace Performance: A Field and Laboratory Study at End of Life

Brand, L. ; Yee, S. ; Baker, J.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.)

关键词: Laboratory Testing;    End Of Life;    Induced Draft;    Rated Efficiency;    Iowa;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1091420
RP-ID  :  DOE/GO-102013-4112
RP-ID  :  AC36-08GO28308
RP-ID  :  1091420

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

Natural gas furnaces are rated for efficiency using the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) test standard under controlled laboratory test conditions. In the home, these furnaces are then installed under conditions that can vary significantly from the standard, require adjustment by the installing contractor to adapt to field conditions, may or may not be inspected over their useful lifetimes, and can operate with little maintenance over a 30-year period or longer. At issue is whether the installation practices, field conditions, and wear over the life of the furnace reduce the efficiency significantly from the rated efficiency. In this project, nine furnaces, with 15-24 years of field service, were removed from Iowa homes and tested in the lab under four conditions to determine the effects of installation practices, field operating conditions, and age on efficiency.